Ducati Fills Top Positions At Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Ducati riders achieved the Middleweight Division victory and four of the five top motorcycle times of the day at the 92nd running of the historic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, held last Sunday, June 29. This year’s introduction of new rules and new motorcycle racing divisions, including the “Motorcycle Middleweight Division” and “Motorcycle Open Division,” brought with it a field of strong competitors challenging for top times.

The introduction of the “Motorcycle Open Division” – which allowed fully faired liter bikes to compete in the same class as the defending champion Multistrada 1200 – made it the most competitive motorcycle class and the one in which the top five times of the day were posted. Lambert Fabrice, who competed on a Ducati 1098R, brought home the second fastest time of the day at 10:04.401, while Don Canet and Micky Dymond followed in close succession with lap times of 10:10.101 and 10:11.319 respectively aboard Ducati Multistrada 1200s. Bruno Langlois finished in the fifth slot with a time of 10:14.480 on a Ducati 1199 Panigale.

The newly formed “Motorcycle Middleweight Division,” comprised mostly of fully faired middleweight sport bikes was ultimately won by Frenchman Eric Piscione, who dominated the division aboard a Ducati Streetfighter 848 with a time of 10:46.159.

Since it’s inception in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has emerged as one of motorsport’s most spirited and formidable races, as riders face a 4,720 foot elevation change on grades averaging seven percent – all in times hovering around 10 minutes. The 156 turns leading to the summit, and the lack of oxygen as altitude gains, challenges the riders and machines alike.

By Troy Siahaan