LOMBARDO WINS THE FIRST EDITION OF THE APRILIA ENDURO TROPHY
20 November 2006 - Aprilia

November 16th was the day dedicated to enduro races at the Milan Motorcycling Exhibition.

In fact, an indoor enduro circuit was carved out of the outdoor Motolive arena for the site of the first edition of the Aprilia Enduro Trophy. The track was as spectacular as it was engaging. At the start of the trial (the predecessor of a real, live Aprilia Enduro that will take place in 2007), some 31 riders battled through a supercross-style circuit for the free trials, qualifying heats, make-ups, and finals. The racetrack was truly engaging as it preserved some sections of the supercross track with stones, tree trunks, and a double pool (meant to simulate a ford) at every lap. Such artificial obstacles truly put the extreme-racing abilities of the riders to test.

The first qualifying round saw Ronny Marconato pull ahead of Claudio Mana and Gaetano De Filippo in the classification. The second round was instead won by Marco Lagorio, who had the best of David Scavino and Alessandro Vaccari. The make-up heat secured Vicenzo Lombardo’s access to the final. It was the same Sicilian rider who demonstrated his desire for victory in the first edition of the Aprilia Enduro Trophy after reeling in a spot in the finals at the last minute. “I took off a bit tight – recounted the rider from Catania – since I had never raced on an indoor enduro track. I really didn’t feel great on the passages where you had to cross tree trunks that were especially slippery. Then, in the make-up, I better knew how to tackle them and was more mentally prepared. I took off from second in the finals and passed Benzoni before making a mistake that brought me back down to second. With three laps left to go till the end, I was able to find a solid rhythm that allowed me to take back control of the race and the ultimate victory. I am very happy with my success, especially because it is my first in an indoor enduro race. Making it even better was the fact that I earned it on an international stage such as the Milan Motorcycling Fair”.

Second place went to Fabio Benzoni who, after a long duel with Lombardo, beat out Marco Lagorio. Marco finished 3rd thanks to a spectacular comeback after a fall at the start of the race involving Paolo Ceci (8th), Davide Dall’Ava (4th), and Ronny Marconato (7th).

The impressive Motolive stage of the Milan Fair played host to the Aprilia Enduro Trophy award ceremony. Also awarded on the stage was the sporting director of the Aprilia Off-Road (Ennio Marchesin) and the winners of the first Aprilia Motorally Trophy that took place at the same time as the Italian championship. Finishing ahead of everyone else was Roberto Zanzi who beat Claudio Mana and Enrico Pella to the finish.

1st Edition of the Aprilia Enduro Trophy- Milan, November 16th, 2006
Final classification: 1. Vincenzo Lombardo; 2. Fabio Benzoni; 3. Marco Lagorio; 4. Davide Dall’Ava; 5. Alessandro Vaccari; 6. Davide Scavino; 7. Ronny Marconato; 8. Paolo Ceci; 9. Gianni Ventriglia; 10. Paolo Canadese; 11.Cristian Cesari; 12. Massimo Doretto; 13. Gaetano De Filippo; 14. Manilo Giaché; 15. Claudio Mana; 16. Michele Lopetuso.

www.aprilia.com

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