Team Aprilia Giofil will be in the Dakar Rally 2010 with the twin-cylinders Aprilia RXV 4.5
JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE MONTH FROM THE DEPARTURE OF THE DAKAR 2010,
TEAM APRILIA GIOFIL MAKES OFFICIAL ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE RACE IN SOUTH
AMERICA. THE TEAM WILL COUNT ON FOUR OFFICIAL RIDERS: FRANCISCO "CHALECO"
LOPEZ, GERARD FARRES, PAOLO CECI AND ALEX ZANOTTI. THE CHALLENGE WILL
START ON JANUARY 1ST FROM BUENOS AIRES, WITH FIFTEEN STAGES THROUGH
ARGENTINA AND CHILE.
The big test to the Aprilia0x00b4s Rally Team with the twin-cylinders 4.5
RXV, which achieved a victory in the 450cc class in the Pharaon0x00b4s Rally
with Paolo Ceci, the lead of two stages by Francisco Lopez, is just one
step away. A little more than a month from the start of the race, Team
Aprilia Giofil makes official its participation on the Dakar 2010, which
will start on January 1st from Buenos Aires.
The dream has come true: the Italian bikes return to play on the deserts
of the mythical Marathon rally organized by ASO; there will not be
African deserts, but the Dakar 2010 will stay, however, as an extreme
challenge of 9000 kilometers through Argentina and Chile, with the
participation of the best cross country rally0x00b4s riders.
Official pilots in the saddle of the Aprilia twin-cylinders RXV 4.5 of
the Team Aprilia Giofil will be four: the Chilean Francisco Lopez, the
Spaniard Gerard Farres, and the Italians Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti.
These days, the team has been working hard trying and testing the bikes,
under the supervision of the engineers Gigi Dall0x00b4Igna and David
Borghesi, which have applied many changes to improve it after the test on
the Pharaon0x00b4s rally. The riders have tried different solutions in the
suspension system on the bike for the Dakar to have longer swing arm, a
redesigned hull, a new engine guard plate and a new electronic mapping.
The departure of the ship that will transport all machines from the
French port of Le Havre is planned for November 25th, and the team will
fly to South America on December 27th. Then, two days for technical and
administrative scrutineering on the 30th and 31st of December, which will
leave them just the time to celebrate New Year0x00b4s eve, and the adventure
will begin on January 1st. The return to Buenos Aires is scheduled for
the 16th, and the rest day will be in Antofagasta on January 9th.
The Team Giofil can count on the assistance of a 6x6 truck and two cars,
with the presence of five mechanics.
The eyes of the world will be placed specially on Francisco "Chaleco"
Lopez: the strong Chilean rider, considered a "hero" in his country and,
given that most part of the Dakar is on "his" terrain, he will be
followed by public and unprecedented media. But he will not be alone;
Gerard Farres, Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti will be there also. This will
be Farres0x00b4s third participation on the Dakar, while for the Italians the
adventure is just starting.
The team is very motivated to show itself on the competition, in the year
ASO has decided the limitations for bikes over 450 cc. (forced the top
riders to run with an "air restrictor" this year). The Aprilia RXV 4.5
may certainly have a real race with the adversaries of higher cylinder
power.
Filippo Assirelli, Team Manager and founder of the rally project, is
conscious of the difficulties they could face during the Dakar, but at
the same he is confident on the possibilities of a good result:
"Let0x00b4s go to the Dakar without striking: we are a young team, the
bike is at the beginning of its development but it has already shown
great potential. The motivation is high for both, riders and the team,
and the Dakar will be a valuable test that will show us the strengths and
weaknesses of the bike."
Francisco Lopez: "I am very excited with the Aprilia twin-cylinder. The
tighter tank allows driving really well, it0x00b4s manageable and precise.
Even with the suspension, we did a good job, achieving a perfect balance
between the front and rear and excellent stability while going fast,
having taken a longer swingarm. The engine has undergone through changes
from the Pharaons Rally: we found the ideal mapping, which reduces power
consumption while ensuring a fast and linear progression, with great
power. The margins of improvement on the Aprilia RXV 4.5 are many and the
experiences that will be acquired during the Dakar will be the starting
point for next season. "
-credit: cstag
