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Category: Moto GP
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IP api Group, the main Italian private company in the fuel and mobility services sectors, returns to the motorcycle racing world championship scene and will do so with Gresini Racing.
This is a big comeback for the iconic Italian company, which chose the Marquez brothers and the light-blue colours of Team Gresini Racing MotoGP for its two-wheeled world stage resurgence. IP’s fully Italian brand will be present on the side fairings of the two Desmosedici machines #73 and #93, on the sleeves of both Alex and Marc’s leathers as well as on the pit-box panels, team trucks and hospitality. 
The partnership agreement between IP and Gresini Racing MotoGP will have a three-year duration, a sign of great trust in a project that promises to be a really interesting one.
UGO BRACHETTI PERETTI – IP Gruppo api PRESIDENT
"IP is back at supporting Italian motorcycling racing around the world. During api’s recent 90-year-anniversary celebration, we remembered the tight-knit relationship between our Group and the great riders, the Italian teams, and their success in the motorcycle racing world championship history. With the same spirit, we will be alongside team Gresini with the ambition of accompanying it towards great sporting results. Motorcycle racing is courage and commitment, but also technique and talent: we will share the energy of the emotions that this MotoGP will give with all fans and enthusiasts.”
NADIA PADOVANI – GRESINI RACING TEAM OWNER
“We’re absolutely proud to be announcing the start of a three-year partnership between IP and Gresini Racing MotoGP. The api Group is a historic Italian company with the Brachetti Peretti family at the helm, the same family that founded it back in 1933, and that during the ‘60s was sponsoring motorcycle racing around the world. 2024 is therefore a special year, because it marks the return of the company in the motorcycle racing scene after a long time – and obviously we’re very pleased to be part of such milestone. We’d like to thank the President Ugo Brachetti Peretti for the trust placed in our projects and for choosing Gresini Racing as a partner in this historical stage for the Group.”
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JACOPO CERUTTI, SECOND, STRENGTHENS HIS GRIP ON THE LEAD IN THE OVERALL STANDINGS OF THE AFRICA ECO RACE WITH FOUR LEGS LEFT TO REACH DAKAR
FRANCESCO MONTANARI CONTINUES TO ASTONISH, ONCE AGAIN THE LEADING ROOKIE, JUST MISSING ANOTHER LEG PODIUM
With just four legs left to reach the final destination of Dakar, Aprilia continues to battle at the top of the Africa Eco Race. At the end of almost 400 km of special trials tackled yesterday in segment number 8, the Aprilia Tuaregs ridden by Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari occupied second and fourth place respectively.
On the treacherous sand dunes of Mauritania, Cerutti and his Tuareg were once again protagonists, putting in an outstanding performance and battling with direct rivals, Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarres, with whom he shared much of the route today, taking on some complicated navigation. The prestigious placement earned today allows him to increase his lead in the overall standings, with his closest adversary, Botturi, at a gap of 3’03, whereas Tarres is 22’22” behind.
With a splendid third place two days ago, his first leg podium in his first ever race in the African desert, Francesco Montanari was once again a protagonist in yesterday’s segment, finishing fourth and barely missing another sensational podium. This is an outstanding result that allows him to consolidate his sixth place in the overall standings - the best of the rookies.
Today, the riders will tackle the ninth leg, returning to the Amodjar bivouac after travelling 467 km, including 364 km of timed special trials.
For updates on all the news, follow the web page
www.aprilia.com/it_IT/aprilia-racing/aprilia-tuareg-rally/africa-eco-race/
JACOPO CERUTTI
“A complicated day, but one we came out of on a positive note! At the beginning we found rather soft sand dunes and I got stuck in the sand a couple of times. What’s more, I quickly found myself blazing the trail, having caught Botturi after just 15 km. At that point, identifying the right trail wasn’t simple, but in spite of this, I continued blazing the trail for practically the entire leg, even when Tarres caught us, all the way to the end.”
FRANCESCO MONTANARI
“This was a fantastic leg. In the first 80 km, we found a lot of sand and I found myself in difficulty on a couple occasions, but I managed to overcome quickly. After that, I navigated well and maintained a good pace. Towards the end, I tried to push a little harder, so I managed to arrive at the destination extremely close to the top three, which is truly satisfying, also because I always feel good on the bike
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Riding a motorcycle will offer you a unique experience that feels unlike any other. But although driving a bike comes with the benefits of easier parking, speed and low fuel costs, it also has an increased risk associated with it. Motorcycles are more exposed to accidents, and statistics show that each year, a high number of motorcycle riders are seriously injured or killed. For example, in 2020, the number of motorcyclists killed reached 4,308 in Great Britain.
To stay safe on the road, motorcyclists must act cautiously and always wear protective gear. Here is everything you need to know about motorcycle safety tips.
Get the right gear
You will always have greater freedom on the open road on a motorcycle, but you will also be more exposed to hazards and dangers. If you get into an accident without wearing the right gear, the consequences can be fatal, and you could lose your life. But even if you are never in a collision, simple things might hurt you. For example, you might get hit by a rock on the road, which can have terrible outcomes when you are unprotected.
However, you will have an improved layer of protection if you wear the right gear. Here is the protective gear you need to have while driving your motorcycle.
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Helmet: Motorcyclists should always wear helmets, as these simple items can really save lives. The risk of death increases if you don't wear a helmet, so don't take any chances and wear a high-quality one that meets the Department of Transportation Safety Standards. Most motorcycle fatalities cause head injuries, so you need to pay attention when you choose your helmet. Your helmet should fit your head properly, have zero slippage, no vision obstructions and cover most of your head. Also, remember that a full-face helmet will offer greater protection, so don't opt for windscreen models.
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Protective Clothing: Road rash can be a real threat, and the riders who have suffered the pain probably know this aspect. So, getting fortified jackets and riding pants will be better to make the burn less likely to appear.
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Gloves: Your hands must also be protected while riding your motorcycle, as they can be exposed to all the road elements. So, it will be better to opt for high-quality gloves to keep your hands safe without impeding your dexterity.
Boots: Sturdy boots are also essential to wear, as they ensure protection in case of a crash and protect your skin from the engine's heat.
Maintain your bike in good shape
Many riders leave their bikes in the garage and drive them only on special occasions. However, if you haven't used your motorcycle for some time already, you must check it and ensure it is in good shape before riding it, especially on long drives.
Even if you ride your bike daily, you should still give it a general safety inspection before you head on the road. Keep a list of things you must check, then inspect all the parts. For instance, you must see if your signals and lights are working properly. Then, you will need to check the tire pressure and ensure there are no signs of loose parts or damage anywhere on the bike.
Look twice
This tip might be more suitable for car drivers, but motorcycles should also double-check to ensure they are safe and will not get involved in a car accident. Motorbikes are smaller than cars, making them harder to see. This is why numerous motorcyclists get involved in an accident, as the other drivers don't check enough their environments and miss motorbikes.
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by car drivers. So, even if motorcyclists respected all the legislation and kept their distance, they might still get involved in an accident because of another party's negligence. Although motorbikers can get compensation if they were involved in an accident that didn't happen because of their fault (check out more at www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk), it is better to double-check to reduce the chances that an accident will happen.
Pay attention to the weather
You also need to check the weather, as adverse weather conditions are one of the reasons why motorcyclists get involved in an accident. So, look at the weather before, especially if you are going on a long road. Motorbikes are not as solid as the other vehicles, so riding in adverse conditions can be more dangerous. Additionally, because there are only two wheels, the traction and visibility during rain are reduced, which can lead to more accidents.
Therefore, you should always check the weather and postpone your trip if there is heavy rain or snow.
Leave sufficient space
One of the most common mistakes drivers make is not leaving enough distance behind the vehicle in the front. This is also important for motorcycles, as even though a bike stops faster than a car, it still needs a fair bit. For example, a motorcyclist driving at 70 mph will need around 245 feet to brake.
Ride sober and alert
It should go without saying that driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is never a good idea. Also, you shouldn't ride if you are overly stressed or sleep-deprived. The risks in doing so increase for each person, but especially for motorcyclists who need to have a fast reaction time and be at their full faculties.
The other driver participants often ignore motorcyclists, so they need to ride with more attention to ensure they stay safe. But that can't be done when a person is exhausted or tired.
Conclusion
Riding a motorcycle can be an exciting and pleasurable experience. Still, you need to understand the risks you expose yourself to and take precautions to reduce the chances that an accident will happen. Wear your gear, always check your environment, and be alert so that nothing bad will happen to you.
Image source - Image by Freepik
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THE ALL-ITALIAN DUO OF JACOPO CERUTTI AND APRILIA TUAREG TRIUMPHS AT ITS DÉBUT IN THE DESERT IN THE 2024 AFRICA ECO RACE
LEADING IN THE OVERALL STANDINGS FROM START TO FINISH OF THE 6000 PLUS KILOMETRES, THE ITALIAN OFF-ROAD BIKE PROVES TO BE A WINNING PROJECT
ROOKIE FRANCESCO MONTANARI RIDES HIS TUAREG TO DAKAR, FINISHING TWICE ON THE SPECIAL TRIALS PODIUM AND CLOSES OUT HIS FIRST AFRICAN EXPERIENCE WITH A FABULOUS TOP TEN FINISH
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “DOMINATING IN THE DÉBUT, AN UNDERTAKING NO ONE HAS EVER ACCOMPLISHED”
Dakar (Senegal), 14 January 2024 - The all-Italian duo remained in the lead from start to finish for the six thousand plus kilometres over breathtaking roads, trails, sand, and dunes. From Monaco to the magical pink lake of Dakar, Jacopo Cerutti and his Aprilia Tuareg chose the most thrilling way to win the 2024 edition of the Africa Eco Race, dominating and writing one of the most epic pages in the recent history of big African raids.
The Italian pair departed on their début, reckoning with adversaries who were extremely talented and, above all, highly expert on the legendary route that goes from Europe to Dakar through Morocco and Mauritania.
The Aprilia Tuareg, developed from the factory product by Aprilia Racing with the technical collaboration of the Guareschi brothers’ GCorse, tackled the African trails and the desert for the first time. Of course, during 2023, the bike had already proven itself, winning the Italian Motorally title in its début and taking a spectacular podium in the Transanatolia rally in Turkey, where it had its first taste of big raids. But taking on the African desert for the first time on a route that has made off-road history, promised to be much more difficult.
The Aprilia riders, Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari, approached the race with confidence from the start, armed with a bike that had already proved to be a formidable weapon, thanks to the quality of the original project.
His victory in the special trials of the first two days allowed Cerutti to build up an advantage over extremely strong rivals like Botturi and Tarres, both on Yamaha, who attacked constantly in an attempt to come back.
Speed, perfect strategy, and the reliability of the Tuareg are the values that led Aprilia and Cerutti to their Dakar triumph.
For Francesco Montanari, a true rookie, finishing the race in Dakar was a fantastic result. To this, he added two podiums in as many legs, as well as being a constant presence in the top end of the standings for the special trials and a fabulous eighth place overall.
Massimo Rivola - Aprilia Racing CEO
“What Jacopo did, winning in Dakar, is unprecedented. It is a truly enormous sports undertaking that exalts a great champion, an exceptional Italian bike, designed, developed, and manufactured here in Noale, and an incredible job done by Aprilia Racing and the Guareschis, to whom I extend my special thanks. Having led from the first day of one of the most difficult races in the world, competing with extremely skilled adversaries, is an extraordinary sign of strength that went beyond our wildest expectations.”
Vittoriano Guareschi - GCorse
“Fantastic! Jacopo was exceptional throughout the entire race, always setting the pace. The second leg was the key, with that leap ahead in the standings which then allowed him to manage the competition like a great champion. Francesco also did a great job, taking the bike to Dakar in his début and even snatching satisfaction in the special trials more than once. What the entire team did is incredible. It was our first experience against extremely skilled adversaries, such as the Yamaha team, which is extremely experienced, especially in the part of the desert in Mauritania.
The bike was perfect - never a problem. With this triumph, the Tuareg project demonstrated all of its base qualities: balanced weight, suspension travel, the character of the engine, and the quality of the materials. The factory bike already sets a great bar.”
Jacopo Cerutti
“It is all wonderful. It was an honour for me to collaborate in the development of the bike with Aprilia Racing and GCorse. In very little time, we reached incredible milestones and I honestly did not think that we would manage to be as ready as we were at the start of this event. However, I knew that the factory Tuareg already provided us with an outstanding starting base and then the rest is down to the great job the entire team did over the past few months. I certainly didn’t expect to win. Maybe starting the race without the pressure of being one of the favourites was a good thing and a bit of good luck also helped, which is never a bad thing because in an African raid, the unexpected is always just around the corner, but instead, everything seemed to go smoothly. A fantastic experience and feeling. Now we can enjoy the celebration.”
Francesco Montanari
“I'm extremely happy to have arrived in Dakar and to have managed to improve leg after leg, finishing in the top positions a few times. All of this was possible because I was placed in the ideal conditions to express my potential. The bike is fantastic to ride and the entire team did an exceptional job, both preparing for the race and during these two weeks in Africa. So, I wish to thank Aprilia for this opportunity and all the members of team GCorse for the constant support. I'm obviously also happy about Jacopo’s splendid victory. He did extremely well and he deserves it. I hope that this will be a starting place for me. I would like to continue improving because I think I demonstrated that I'm able to make a play of it with the best.”
Aprilia Racing, a legend born with off-road competition
Off-road competitions were Aprilia’s début racing terrain. It’s no surprise for a brand which, from its very first ’70s era models like the Scarabeo, had revealed its soul dedicated to the off-road world. In 1974, the first racing bike from Noale was a 125 cross. As early as 1977, the first Italian titles arrived in the 125 and 250 classes. Then, in 1978, came the first podiums and the win in the Cross World Championship.
In 1985, the speed racing adventure began for Aprilia Racing in World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing, but the first world title came from trial in 1992. From the off-road world, seven more world titles would arrive, from 2004 to 2011, with the SXV 450 and 550 twin-cylinders protagonists in the Supermoto championship, earning three Rider titles and four Manufacturer titles.
After an epic first appearance in the Paris-Dakar with Tuareg in 1989, Aprilia returned to the big race in the desert in 2010 with the revolutionary RXV Rally 450 twin-cylinder, which participated in three consecutive editions of the Dakar until 2012. The spectacular Rally took three leg victories straight away and finished third overall in 2010, just missing the spectacular achievement of winning in its début.
To this day, Aprilia remains the last Italian manufacturer to have won a leg in the Dakar, in 2012.
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JACOPO CERUTTI, SECOND, STRENGTHENS HIS GRIP ON THE LEAD IN THE OVERALL STANDINGS OF THE AFRICA ECO RACE WITH FOUR LEGS LEFT TO REACH DAKAR
FRANCESCO MONTANARI CONTINUES TO ASTONISH, ONCE AGAIN THE LEADING ROOKIE, JUST MISSING ANOTHER LEG PODIUM
With just four legs left to reach the final destination of Dakar, Aprilia continues to battle at the top of the Africa Eco Race. At the end of almost 400 km of special trials tackled yesterday in segment number 8, the Aprilia Tuaregs ridden by Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari occupied second and fourth place respectively.
On the treacherous sand dunes of Mauritania, Cerutti and his Tuareg were once again protagonists, putting in an outstanding performance and battling with direct rivals, Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarres, with whom he shared much of the route today, taking on some complicated navigation. The prestigious placement earned today allows him to increase his lead in the overall standings, with his closest adversary, Botturi, at a gap of 3’03, whereas Tarres is 22’22” behind.
With a splendid third place two days ago, his first leg podium in his first ever race in the African desert, Francesco Montanari was once again a protagonist in yesterday’s segment, finishing fourth and barely missing another sensational podium. This is an outstanding result that allows him to consolidate his sixth place in the overall standings - the best of the rookies.
Today, the riders will tackle the ninth leg, returning to the Amodjar bivouac after travelling 467 km, including 364 km of timed special trials.
For updates on all the news, follow the web page
www.aprilia.com/it_IT/aprilia-racing/aprilia-tuareg-rally/africa-eco-race/
JACOPO CERUTTI
“A complicated day, but one we came out of on a positive note! At the beginning we found rather soft sand dunes and I got stuck in the sand a couple of times. What’s more, I quickly found myself blazing the trail, having caught Botturi after just 15 km. At that point, identifying the right trail wasn’t simple, but in spite of this, I continued blazing the trail for practically the entire leg, even when Tarres caught us, all the way to the end.”
FRANCESCO MONTANARI
“This was a fantastic leg. In the first 80 km, we found a lot of sand and I found myself in difficulty on a couple occasions, but I managed to overcome quickly. After that, I navigated well and maintained a good pace. Towards the end, I tried to push a little harder, so I managed to arrive at the destination extremely close to the top three, which is truly satisfying, also because I always feel good on the bike.”
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