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Dirty Italian?
AMA Supercross
1/30/2003




www.motorcycle-usa.com



While the name Aprilia has become synonymous with road racing championships in Grand Prix competition, it appears as though it may try its hand in the off-road world as well. We may see the Italian-based manufacturer enter motocross market with a 450cc 4-stroke.

The company is allegedly building a chassis which will house a Yamaha YZ450F engine. However, an Aprilia motocross engine is in development and expected in the next few years along with a Supermotard and Enduro model.

Rumors slate the first release of the bikes to be in September ‘03.

Officilas at Aprilia USA claimed they had no knowledge of such a project and said they could neither confirm nor deny any potential Aprilia motocross effort. But with scooter production in the doldrums right now and its V-Twin big bikes providing small profits, it would make sense for a competition-minded company like Aprilia to exapnd its product line into an unrelated market like dirt bikes. And we do know that there are several off-road fans among Aprilia engineers and designers.

Even though Aprilia made its name in road racing and scooters, the Noale-based company got its start in the dirt back in 1970 with the production of the Scarabeo. The birth of the small 50cc and 125cc bikes would be the grandfather machines of the company’s first-ever championships in the 125cc and 250cc classes in 1975. Back then it was the RC 125 which carried Ivan Alborghetti to dual championships.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.


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