Aprilia Tests Tuareg Prototype for African Raids, Making Progress in Motorally Championship

Aprilia, the renowned motorcycle manufacturer, is gearing up for a grand comeback to the African raids with its latest prototype, the Aprilia Tuareg. Developed by Aprilia Racing in collaboration with Gcorse, the Tuareg aims to conquer the challenging terrains of the desert races. Factory riders Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari recently completed the first tests of the Tuareg with promising results.

The unveiling of the Tuareg prototype took place on 27 May during the highly anticipated Aprilia All Stars celebration. Built upon the technical foundation of the stock model, which has already made its mark in the Italian Motorally Championship, the Tuareg’s development journey is closely aligned with the “Back to Africa” project.

Aprilia Racing and Gcorse have focused on enhancing the chassis architecture of the Tuareg, ensuring stability at high speeds and improved suspension travel. The development process will continue in the coming months, including engine enhancements and the addition of a supplementary tank.

Equipped with Öhlins by Andreani suspension, an entirely titanium SC Project exhaust, and a specific Sprint Filter air filter, the competition version of the Aprilia Tuareg 660 demonstrates its readiness for the demanding rally raids. The collaboration with Metzeler, who chose Aprilia for their foray into the twin-cylinder adventure world, further strengthens the brand’s commitment to rally raids.

In addition to the testing phase, Aprilia Racing and GCorse actively participated in the 5th and 6th trials of the Italian Motorally Championship in Umbertide. Jacopo Cerutti secured an impressive first place and a second place, maintaining his lead in the overall standings. Francesco Montanari also showcased his skills, achieving a remarkable third place. The competitive performance of the Aprilia Tuareg 660 in the championship reaffirms its potential in the adventure bike category.

As the Aprilia Tuareg 660 garners attention, more than 50 riders had the opportunity to experience its off-road capabilities during a special test ride event in Umbertide. The participants were introduced to the technical aspects of the bike by the Guareschi brothers, providing them with a unique and engaging experience.

Photo: Aprilia