More Monday Morning Moto News - Dakar Rememberances

The 2010 Rally Dakar is over and the scores, times and names are in the books. However, it was a huge event and there was at least one story for each competitor - if not more. So, let's take a look at some of the interesting news which came from the event and look back on the incredible race that it was.

First comes a story about the fourth Canadian to ever finish a Dakar event - Patrick Trahan. This was his third trip to the event, but first time to go all the way to the finish. That is not uncommon due to the harsh conditions and the ever-increasing risks associated with riding at this level. What a story...

http://tinyurl.com/ybl96p5

Next, of course, comes the story from the Italian Aprilia team, Team Aprilia Giofil. They had a very tough road and competed in a few other rallies before venturing to Dakar. They also put on one hell of a show at the event by winning stages and having one rider, Francisco Lopez, finish overall third. And, to make it even more interesting, this was the first Dakar ever for the Aprilia RXV 4.5 Africa.

http://tinyurl.com/ybjuhbl

A final overall race report - and it is long: http://tinyurl.com/ydmodfm

Next is the expected report on the winner of the motorcycle event, Cyril Despres: http://tinyurl.com/y9ava5c

Some great and colorful photos: http://tinyurl.com/ybewv5g

Aprilia Will Back Team Giofil’s Dakar Rally 2010

The Aprilia RXV 4.5 race bikes have already won the Rally of the Pharoahs in both 2008 and 2009. Now, with the factory support of Aprilia, Team Giofil will have a real chance at winning the Dakar Rally in 2010. Their team consists of proven racers Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and Alex Zanotti. It will be an interesting race in the South American backroads next year.

http://tinyurl.com/yjfy5ub

Team Aprilia Giofil Getting Ready for 2010 Dakar Rally

They have announced their team now - Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez, Gerard Farres, Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti - the usual suspects for this off-road team's purposes. They will be riding the Aprilia RXV 4.5 in the event against some competitors with engines almost three times a large. But, the RXV did take victory in the 450 class at the Pharaon's Rally in Egypt. For the team, this is a dream come true!

http://tinyurl.com/yk7ynv9

Update from Pharaons Rally in Egypt - Seventh and Final Stage

Yeah, this is also late...it is increasingly tough to get English language updates from the Pharaons Rally. So, without any more excuses, here we go. Paolo Ceci has won the 450c.c. class at the rally, coming in fourth place overall against many larger machines. Francisco Lopez finished 46 seconds after Ceci and that gave him second in class; if not for an electrical gremlin back in Stage 3, he very well might have finished first overall! Alex Zanotti, who won this class last year, crashed out in Stage 4. If only we had TV coverage...

http://tinyurl.com/yjchf8x

http://tinyurl.com/ygsztvd

From Stage 6: http://tinyurl.com/yjymlog

Update from Stage 4 of the Pharaons Rally in Egypt

It seems that many of the competitors had some issues in this stage - even the solid Aprilia team has had their issues. But, rider Francisco Lopez managed to win an important test in the event - and beat the larger KTM 690 machine with his 450c.c. Aprilia in the process...

http://tinyurl.com/yloe8dv

Team Aprilia to Tackle Pharaons Rally in Egypt

The Giofil Team Aprilia will run well-known rally champion Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez on their Aprilia RXV 450 Africa twin. He will ride alongside Alex Zanotti and Paolo Ceci. This is an important race for them as they are very likely to ride in the Dakar rally next year and they need to get some racing done first!

http://tinyurl.com/kjhmhw