2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
For the third consecutive year, a rider aboard a Ducati Multistrada was victorious at the famed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Pikes Peak, Colo.
This year’s winner at the “Race to the Clouds” was Carlin Dunne, who piloted his Spider Grips Ducati Multistrada 1200 S to the pole, and also set a new motorcycle record up the 12.42-mile course featuring 156 turns. This was Dunne’s second straight victory at Pikes Peak. His teammate, six-time winner Greg Tracey, finished second. Tracey’s last victory at Pikes Peak was in 2010 aboard the Ducati Multistrada.
Both Dunne and Tracy finished under the 10-minute mark, the first time this ever occurred for motorcycles during the race’s 90th-year history.
Dunne crossed the finish line at the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak with the record time of 9:52.819, beating his previous record of 11:11.32, while Tracy was less than six seconds behind, placing second with 9:58.262. During his run, Dunne achieved speeds above 144 mph on the straightaways.
Carlin Dunne (Spider Grips Ducati Mulistrada S) says: “Today was an emotional day. The year of work the Spider Grips Ducati team put into preparing for Pikes Peak got us across the finish line in under 10 minutes, an achievement we’re very proud of. When we heard that we won and broke the record for the second time, I was speechless. The one-two finish proves the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is the ultimate bike to conquer Pikes Peak.”
Dominque Cheraki (General Manager, Ducati North America) says: “Ducatisti around the world are celebrating the victory of Carlin Dunne and the Spider Grips Ducati Team – we are all very proud.
“Three years ago we chose the Multistrada 1200 S to compete at Pikes Peak to showcase its on-and-off road capabilities, class-leading ergonomics, handling, and performance. When we were alerted that the entire course would be paved in 2012, there was no doubt that the Multistrada 1200 S was still the right choice and breaking the record today proves this.”
