Press Release | June 11, 2019
2018 winner Carlin Dunne returns with Codie Vahsholtz to take on America’s Mountain for Ducati
This is a press release from Ducati…
Mountain View, CA, June 11, 2019 – With last year’s victory still fresh in fans minds, Ducati announces their return to The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo (PPIHC). The Spider Grips Ducati Team featuring Carlin Dunne and Codie Vahsholtz plans to take the mountain by storm on Sunday, June 30, in the 97th running of the historic Hill Climb. Dunne makes his triumphant return on a prototype motorcycle in the Exhibition Powersport Division after winning last year aboard the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak in the Heavyweight Division.
The Italian brand’s legendary status associated with “The Race To The Clouds” is highlighted by the fact that Ducati has been named winner eight times since their debut in 2008, and held the all-time course record from 2012 until 2017, a year in which Ducati was not part of the official race competition. Ducati was crowned winner on America’s Mountain in 2018 and every year from 2008-2014, with a hiatus before 2018.
Carlin Dunne holds the honor of being the first-ever motorcyclist to traverse the 12.42 mile / 19.99 kilometers Pikes Peak race course in less than 10 minutes (9:52.819), a feat achieved in 2012 on the Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak. In 2017 Dunne also lead Ducati’s Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina (PPSA) safety team, part of the Race Smart Program created in 2016 by Ducati in partnership with the PPIHC, to prepare riders for the challenges of the Colorado race.
Codie Vahsholtz also returns to the Ducati team, after making his own debut with the brand in 2018. A native of Colorado with a rich racing-family heritage at Pikes Peak, Vahsholtz impressively held record times in 2017, 2015, and 2013, for the Middleweight Division, Lightweight Division, and 250 Pro Class, respectively. This year he carries the torch for the Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak in the Heavyweight Division after a year of testing, training and development.
Since 2008, Ducati’s efforts at the PPIHC has been managed by the Spider Grips Ducati team. The team is currently managed by Becca Livingston and Michael Larkin, whose dedication to Ducati and the race have consistently ensured a strong presence on the Pikes Peak mountain. Ducati has partnered this year with long-time supporter Pirelli, who is a perfect balance of technology and innovation, made with special tread compounds that can tackle any road or weather condition.
Other sponsors include: Spider Grips, Brembo, Ducati Performance, Galfer, Race Tech, Boost Oxygen, Supersprox, Ducati Austin and Ducati Santa Barbara.
The first PPIHC was held in 1916 and it continues to be one of the world’s most challenging road races. With a 4,720-foot elevation change and 156 turns through a 12.42 mile-course that reaches a 14,115-foot summit, the Colorado Springs-area mountain holds an important place in all motorcycle racing fans’ hearts.
