JACOPO CERUTTI TRIUMPHS IN THE SARDINIAN STAGE OF THE EUROPEAN BAJA CHAMPIONSHIP, COMPETING ON A TUAREG RALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE SOLD AT DEALERSHIPS
AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIMENT THAT CONFIRMS THE TUAREG RALLY AS THE ULTIMATE BENCHMARK AMONG TWIN-CYLINDER OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES, EVEN ON THE MOST DEMANDING TERRAIN
Noale, May 22, 2026 – Last weekend in Olbia, Sardinia, the Aprilia Tuareg Rally was the star of an extraordinary endeavour: the Aprilia Tuareg Racing team and its rider Jacopo Cerutti (both already dominant figures on the Italian and European rally raid scene, as well as twice-winners of the arduous Africa Eco Race) took to the starting line of the Sardinian stage of the FIM Europe Baja Championship on a standard Tuareg Rally, identical to those sold at Aprilia dealerships.
The result was astounding, proving once again that the Tuareg Rally is the ultimate point of reference in the world of twin-cylinder bikes dedicated to the most demanding off-road riding: Jacopo Cerutti won the Sardinian rally – which featured several long and challenging sections – in the saddle of a Tuareg Rally that had not been subject to any special preparations ahead of the competition.
The only minor changes were the replacement of wheel rims to accommodate specialized rally tires with foam inserts, and the installation of an Öhlins shock absorber at the rear of the bike. Once the fairing had been fitted to house the navigation instrument, along with the seat and handlebars from the competition Tuareg to replicate the ergonomics Cerutti was accustomed to, the Aprilia was ready to race.
The event demonstrated yet again that the Aprilia Tuareg Rally is a mass-produced motorcycle with the DNA of a racer: a specialised adventure bike, designed and built to satisfy even the most demanding Enduro riders, guaranteeing maximum performance and fun on any terrain.
The Tuareg Rally’s bold off-road character is immediately apparent from its high mudguards and striking aluminium skid plate, with a thicker and more protective design, intentionally left unpolished to provide greater mechanical impact resistance. The protective features also include sturdy hand guards with an aluminium core.
The chain guide also comes as standard equipment, ensuring maximum safety even on the most extreme trails. For better off-road control, the Tuareg Rally boasts specially-designed ergonomics, with a saddle that is 20 mm higher than the standard version to facilitate the transition between riding seated and standing, and a higher handlebar with a different shape.
The heavy-duty Ergal narrow-spoke rims are fitted with knobby tyres with inner tube, while the Kayaba suspension, with an impressive 240 mm of travel, features specific internal components for hydraulic adjustment and springs with a linear spring rate (K), rather than a progressive one: a solution that enhances the sensations during off-road riding, giving the rider greater control over rough terrain. The more rigid suspension also reduces static sag, making the Tuareg Rally higher and effectively increasing its actual travel. The stand is equipped with a support foot with an enlarged surface area to minimize the tilt of the motorcycle when parked, as well as providing stable parking even on uneven or soft surfaces.
A specific engine mapping has been developed for the Tuareg Rally with a view to making the engine’s response to the throttle as quick and reactive as possible. This enables the rider to clear obstacles more easily by giving a burst of throttle on the most challenging off-road sections.
The Tuareg Rally is equipped with a dedicated SC Project exhaust system featuring a fully titanium muffler, with a bold racing endcap with a generous outlet of 60 mm.
The wheels and exhaust system help keep the Aprilia Tuareg Rally’s total weight down to just 199 kg.
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