FIRST PODIUM FOR THE TWIN APRILIA IN THE ITALIAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSIHP
12 March 2007 - Aprilia

After flirting with it at Castiglione del Lago (with a 4th place in Race 2), Cedric Melotte made history as the first rider to stand atop a podium in the MX1 Italian Championship atop a twin motorcycle.

It took place at the 3rd trial of the Italian Motocross Championships on March 11th at Ponte a Egola (Pisa) where the Belgian rider conquered 3rd place in the opening fraction of the MX1 atop an Aprilia MXV 4.5

After recording the 4th best time in the qualifying rounds that determined the gate order, Melotte carried out the mission by roaring out of the start in 5th place and making his way up to 3rd behind Cristian Beggi (Wrm) and the winner, David Philippaerts (Ktm). It is a prestigious result for the Aprilia twin in its official debut year in the Motocross, already in possession a podium in just the 5th heat of the season. In the second fraction, Melotte wasnít able to find the right rhythm but still closed out the trial in 8th place on a tortuous track that is not well adapted to the huge power and progression of the Aprilia twin.

Also in evidence was Chicco Chiodi atop another official Aprilia MXV 4.5. In Race 1, he was the protagonist of an extraordinary comeback. During takeoff, he was blocked by a couple of riders and ended up on the ground. Getting back on the saddle, he began a mighty comeback that brought him from last to 11th place.

The three-time 125 world champion, the author of the 6th-best time in qualifiers took off in 2nd place in Race 2 behind Philippaerts. Cramps in his forearms forced him to fall back to 7th place. The results are nonetheless positive considering the rider from Brescia isnít in top physical condition due to the injury to his right at the opening trials in Montevarchi. For Team Aprilia Off Road, it was an important trip that showed how the development of the twin project in the Motocross is headed in the right direction with motorcycles that, beyond their trustworthiness, are putting forth great performances as we await the new MXV 4.5 (to be debuted at the first international trial that will take place on April 1st in Walkensward, Holland).

Ponte a Egola (PI) - 3rd round of the Italian Motocross Championship MX1 Class
Race 1: 1. David Philippaerts (Ktm); 2. Cristian Beggi (Wrm); 3. Cedric Melotte (Aprilia MXV 4.5); 4. Manuel Priem (Tm); 5. Alex Salvini (Yamaha); 6. Thomas Traversini (Ktm); 7. Felice Compagnone (Honda); 8. Daniele Bricca (Ktm); 9. Alex Cinelli (Honda); 10. Andrea Bartolini (Yamaha); 11. Chicco Chiodi (Aprilia MXV 4.5).
Race 2: 1. David Philippaerts (Ktm); 2. Alex Salvini (Yamaha); 3. Thomas Traversini (Ktm); 4. Daniele Bricca (Ktm); 5. Cristian Beggi (Wrm); 6. Manuel Priem (Tm); 7. Chicco Chiodi (Aprilia MXV 4.5); 8. Cedric Melotte (Aprilia MXV 4.5); 9. Andrea Bartolini (Yamaha); 10. Antti Pyrhonen (Kawasaki).

www.aprilia.com

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