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Victory For Aprilia Tuareg Racing In Eighth Stage Of Africa Eco Race 2025

Francesco Montanari of Aprilia Tuareg Racing claims first stage win 

Francesco Montanari and the Aprilia Tuareg Racing Team had an unforgettable day at the Africa Eco Race 2025, as Montanari claimed victory in the eighth stage, which took place in Amodjar, Mauritania. This impressive achievement marked Montanari’s first overall stage win in the prestigious rally. 

Despite facing physical difficulties, teammate Jacopo Cerutti finished in 13th place, securing second position in the overall standings. The eighth stage covered a challenging 355.62 km route, the first of two loop stages starting and finishing in Amodjar. Riders navigated through the Adrar plateau and headed towards Ouadane, tackling a variety of obstacles, including sandy sections and undulating trails. 

Moreover, Montanari’s performance on the day was remarkable, demonstrating his skill and consistency after previously securing podium finishes in stages two, three and five. His victory in stage 8 solidified his third-place standing in the overall rankings.

Despite suffering from a gastrointestinal virus throughout the stage, Jacopo Cerutti managed to hold onto second place overall, though he finished 13th on the day. Cerutti is now 9 minutes and 49 seconds behind the leader. Meanwhile, Marco Menichini also impressed with a fourth-place finish in the stage, placing him 14 minutes and 57 seconds behind the leader. 

Menichini’s consistent performance also keeps him in sixth position in the overall standings. With all three Aprilia Tuareg Rally 660 bikes placed in the top six overall, the Aprilia Tuareg Racing Team solidified its dominance and leadership in the manufacturers’ standings.

On top of that, Montanari said, “I’m thrilled with today’s performance. After the previous two stages, which required a lot of navigation skills, I was able to maintain a strong pace and stay focused. It was a perfect day, and I’m so happy for the team, as this victory is a direct result of their hard work. The bike is performing incredibly well, and I’m glad to see all our efforts pay off. I feel sorry for Jacopo, who hasn’t been feeling well, and I hope he recovers quickly,” 

“I’ve been battling a gastrointestinal virus, which made it extremely difficult to eat or drink. I started in the lead, but with so many dunes, it was a tough challenge. My goal was simply to complete the stage in the best possible way under the circumstances.” Cerutti explained.

With Montanari’s win and Cerutti’s perseverance, the Aprilia Tuareg Racing Team remains a formidable force in the 2025 Africa Eco Race.

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