The Africa Eco Race Comes to a Close
The sixteenth edition of the Africa Eco Race has reached its conclusion, with Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia) and Benoit Fretin (Toyota) emerging as the winners in the motorcycle and car categories, respectively. The grueling competition spanned nearly 6,000 kilometers, with 3,500 kilometers of timed stages.
The motorcycle category saw a strong turnout, with official teams from Aprilia, Yamaha, and Harley Davidson participating. The Africa Eco Race is unique in that it allows riders to compete on production motorcycles, making it an exciting and unpredictable event.
Spanish rider Guillem MartÃnez (KTM) made an impressive debut, finishing fourth overall and winning the rookie category. Joan Pedrero (Harley Davidson) also had a notable performance, finishing eighth and winning his category.
A Thrilling Conclusion
The final stage saw Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha) and Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia) neck and neck, with Botturi holding a slim nine-second advantage. However, Cerutti pushed hard, opening the track and navigating the challenging terrain with ease. Botturi, on the other hand, encountered navigation issues and was forced to stop to remove a piece of plastic from his front wheel.
“It was a tough race,” declared Cerutti, “with many unforeseen events, but we knew how to manage them. In the last stage, I went out determined to win the Africa Eco Race for the second consecutive time, and having achieved it is like a dream.”
Guillaume Borne (Husqvarna) finished third, ahead of Guillem MartÃnez (KTM), who won the rookie category and the Xtreme Rider award. Joan Pedrero (Harley Davidson) also had a notable performance, finishing eighth and winning his category.