Aprilia Tuareg Rally rider takes overall and +650 class lead as rally heads deeper into Africa

Jacopo Cerutti and the Aprilia Tuareg Rally have delivered a decisive statement at the 2026 Africa Eco Race, with the Italian rider claiming a commanding victory on Stage 4 and vaulting into the overall lead of the event.

Stage 4 took competitors on a gruelling 487km journey from Assa to Khnifiss, a day defined by demanding navigation, constantly changing terrain and a pace that rewarded discipline as much as outright speed. It was exactly the kind of stage that suited Cerutti, who rode with measured aggression to secure his first stage win of the 2026 edition.

The result sees the reigning Africa Eco Race champion now leading the overall classification by 4 minutes and 49 seconds, while also sitting comfortably at the top of the +650 twin-cylinder class aboard the Tuareg Rally. It’s a timely turnaround after the opening days of the rally and underlines both Cerutti’s experience and the growing competitiveness of Aprilia’s desert racer.

Behind Cerutti, the wider battle at the front of the Africa Eco Race is beginning to take shape. Gautier Paulin (Yamaha Ténéré 700) and Antonio Maio (Yamaha Ténéré 700) completed an all–twin-cylinder top three on the stage, underlining the growing competitiveness of the +650 class. Across the opening days, consistency had kept Thomas Marini (Husqvarna 450 Rally) and Jean-Loup Lepan (KTM 450 Rally Replica) firmly in the overall fight, but Cerutti’s Assa–Khnifiss stage win has now given the Aprilia Tuareg Rally rider a clearer advantage at the top of the standings. Marini emerges as Cerutti’s closest overall challenger heading into the next stage, with Lepan still well within reach as the rally moves deeper into Africa.

First run in 2008, the Africa Eco Race carries forward the spirit of the great African rallies of the 1980s, tracing a legendary route from Morocco through the vast expanses of Mauritania and on to the iconic Lac Rose. Open to bikes, cars, SSVs, trucks and classic vehicles – as well as a non-competitive Raid category – the event remains a unique blend of competition, adventure and camaraderie.

Africa Eco Race 2026 – Stage 4 (Assa–Khnifiss)

  1. Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia Tuareg 660) – 5:14:32

  2. Gautier Paulin (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +4:11

  3. Antonio Maio (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +5:54

  4. Mike Wiedemann (Yamaha Ténéré 700 JYTR) – +6:45

  5. Jean-Loup Lepan (KTM 450 Rally Replica) – +7:30

  6. Marco Menichini (Aprilia Tuareg 660) – +9:39

  7. Kevin Gallas (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +10:18

  8. Thomas Marini (Husqvarna 450 Rally) – +13:27

  9. Valentin Sertilhanges (KTM 450 Rally) – +19:38

  10. Amaury Baratin (KTM 450 Rally) – +24:41

  11. Van Pelt (Husqvarna 450 RR) – +39:03

  12. Roman Krejci (KTM 450 Rally Replica) – +42:12

  13. Noa Sainct (KTM 450 EXC-F) – +43:51

  14. Nicolas Charlier (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +44:51

  15. Hans Dovland (KTM 450 RFR) – +46:18

  16. Luca Seppele (Kove 450 EX) – +46:55

  17. Andrea Vignone (GASGAS ES 700) – +48:17

  18. Dalle Palle (KTM 450 EXC) – +51:36

  19. Thierry Traccan (Honda CRF450 Rally) – +51:49

  20. Jim Moisa (KTM 450 RFR) – +51:54

 

Africa Eco Race 2026 – Overall

  • Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia Tuareg 660) – 12:45:46

  • Thomas Marini (Husqvarna 450 Rally) – +4:49

  • Jean-Loup Lepan (KTM 450 Rally Replica) – +4:50

  • Kevin Gallas (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +6:44

  • Gautier Paulin (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +7:23

  • Mike Wiedemann (Yamaha Ténéré 700 JYTR) – +30:37

  • Antonio Maio (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +35:20

  • Marco Menichini (Aprilia Tuareg 660) – +52:08

  • Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha Ténéré 700) – +1:07:18

  • Valentin Sertilhanges (KTM 450 Rally) – +1:17:05