FIRST TIME OUT FOR OFFICIAL TEAM APRILIA FACTORY
20 February 2007 - Aprilia

EXTREMELY POSITIVE DEBUT FOR APRILIA IN THE ITALIAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

The debut round of the Italian Motocross Championship marked the first outing for the official Team Aprilia Factory. The positive start began at Saturday''s qualifications where Cedric Melotte (atop an Aprilia MXV 4.5) marked the 6th best time in the MX1 class, just .884 behind the day''s top finisher, the Hungarian Kornel Nemeth (Suzuki). Also solid was Chicco Chiodi (atop another Aprilia MXV 4.5) who finished with the 9th best time even though the 3-time world champion wasn''t able to reel in a “clean” lap that would have demonstrated his talent.

During the first lap of Race 1, Chiodi moved up to 7th place after taking off in 9th. However, a fall ended his race. The rider from Brescia bumped his foot-board on the curb while coming up a ramp, causing him to lose his balance and fall forward. Luckily, hospital assessments showed only a heavy contusion. He is expected to heal with a few day''s rest.
The delusion of Chiodi''s withdrawal from the race was overshadowed by Melotte''s results. He took off poorly in the opening heat, in 14th place after the first lap, but remained concentrated and came back to finish in 6th place. In the second heat, he climbed up from 8th to 5th place, closing out a brilliant day that marked the reentry of the Venetian twin.
“I didn''t get out of the gate well in both starts. – commented Melotte – However, I was able to to cut in from behind a small group of riders in the second race, gaining a lot of positions with a single move. I am very happy with this debut, it couldn''t have gone any better. It is now fundamental to maintain the same level of concentration. We have a great margin of development that I think shows a lot of potential. The motorcycle has behaved quite well in both the trials and the race”.

Also satisfied was Leo Francesco Mercanti, the Director of the Aprilia brand who didn''t want to miss out on Aprilia''s reentry. “Motocross is Aprilia''s first love, – he declared – the beginning of a motorcycling and industrial adventure. After entering into the Supermotard (where we have won three international titles since 2004) and last year''s Enduro title, we are again in the Motocross with our twin, a technical choice that characterizes Aprilia''s participation in the Off road where it will encounter formidable opponents. If it is true a good day starts with a good morning, I would say that we have gone above and beyond every expectation. Especially since we are at the very beginning stages of the motorcycle''s evolution. The team and riders'' solid work should be acknowledged as they deserve the credit for being on the right path. Although we know there is much work to be done, we are confident that the off road can be raced atop a twin.
Chiodi and Melotte raced with the final version of the 2006 motorcycle. The debut of the new motorcycle (or better yet the MXV 4.5 that was presented last November at Milan''s Eicma) is expected to take place on March 10-11 at Ponte a Egola for the 3rd round of the Italian Championship.

Montevarchi (AR) - 1st round of the Italian Motocross Championship - MX1 Class

Race 1:
1. Joshua Coppins (Yamaha);
2. David Philippaerts (Ktm);
3. Kornel Nemeth (Suzuki);
4. Marc De Reuver (Yamaha);
5. Antonie Meo (Honda);
6. Cedric Melotte (Aprilia MXV 4.5);
withdrawn: Chicco Chiodi (Aprilia MXV 4.5).

Race 2:
1. Joshua Coppins (Yamaha);
2. David Philippaerts (Ktm);
3. Kornel Nemeth (Suzuki);
4. Marc De Reuver (Yamaha);
5. Cedric Melotte (Aprilia MXV 4.5);
did not race: Chicco Chiodi (Aprilia MXV 4.5).

www.aprilia.com

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