Aprilia Tuareg Racing has wrapped up its 2026 Africa Eco Race campaign, with Jacopo Cerutti finishing fourth in the +650 twin-cylinder class and fifth overall at the seventeenth edition of the rally-raid event.
The 2026 Africa Eco Race concluded in Dakar, Senegal on 7 February following twelve stages covering more than 6000 kilometres from Morocco through Mauritania to Senegal’s Lake Rose.
Riding the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally, Cerutti secured one stage win and one class victory during the event in what proved to be a challenging competition for the Italian manufacturer’s racing program.
Marco Menichini, competing in his second Africa Eco Race aboard the Tuareg Rally, finished seventh in the +650 class and eighth overall. Menichini showed consistent pace particularly in the second half of the rally, including a fourth-place class finish in stage seven.
Francesco Montanari completed the manufacturer’s three-rider lineup, finishing eleventh in the category standings after a withdrawal during stage four impacted his overall campaign.
Aprilia Tuareg Racing team manager Vittoriano Guareschi acknowledged the demanding nature of this year’s event while highlighting the team’s resilience.
“Arriving here at Lake Rose with all three bikes is always a great feeling. It means we finished the race, and that is what matters,” Guareschi said.
“This year’s Africa Eco Race was different from the previous two editions: overall it was tougher, with stages that were truly demanding for both the riders’ physical stamina and the bikes. Furthermore, the general level has risen significantly, and our opponents arrived in excellent form.”
Despite facing challenges through the Mauritanian sections of the rally, Guareschi noted the team’s ability to fight back in the closing stages.
“We were among the protagonists until Mauritania, then things didn’t go as we expected. But in the end, we reacted, and in yesterday’s stage, we returned to the positions we are used to, proving that we know we can be competitive. We have gained important insights on how to improve ahead of future competitions.”
The Africa Eco Race represents a key testing ground for Aprilia’s Tuareg Rally program, with the manufacturer using the event to develop both machine and rider capabilities in extreme off-road conditions.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
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