Aprilia has announced that it will be backing Team
Giofil’s 2010 Dakar Rally effort, with their four modified 2010 Aprilia RXV 4.5
race bikes.
Riders for Team Giofil will be Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and
Alex Zanotti.
The Aprilia RXV 450 Dakar has taken form thanks
to close collaboration between Team Giofil 3000 (specializing in rally
competitions) and the Aprilia Racing Department. Based on an Aprilia RXV 450,
the enduro twin underwent a transformation at both a mechanical and structural
level in order to cater to the great African rallies. The lightweight motorcycle
is still powerful and enjoys a superstructure which stays true to the unmistakable
Aprilia style. For such a project, the best specialist in the field, Massimo Montebelli, was involved so that they could draw from the experience he has
gained at many Dakar rallies and his knowledge of how to prepare for these
African rallies. Complementing Montebelli and his staff were other companies
that believed in the project. Aprilia supplied vital technical support,
especially for the engine and electrical components.