The 2010 edition of the world’s toughest rally, Dakar, will see Team Giofil's riders – Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and Alex Zanotti – competing on the barely revealed Aprilia MXV 450 Africa.

This is the latest version of the bike that brought the team the last two consecutive Rally of the Pharoahs wins (in 2008 and 2009) and third place overall in 2009.

Although based on the standard MXV 4.5 model, the four competition bikes that Aprilia will supply Team Giofil with are all powered by a seriously modified engine and strengthened chassis, the bodywork and navigation equipment being actually the least stressful part when preparing any bike for 16 days of hell on earth.

Teams will be setting off on January 1 and surrender weapons on January 17, 2010.