THE 97TH Pikes Peak International Hillclimb has been overshadowed this weekend after the death of pole sitter and Ducati V4 Streetfighter prototype rider Carlin Dunne.
A statement from the organisers read:
“We mourn the tragic death of Carlin and he will remain in our hearts forever as part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb family,” the release said. “Carlin will be remembered as a warm-hearted mentor with a competitive spirit. He was a gentle and thoughtful man who touched everyone who met him. We will always remember his contagious smile and genuine love for sport.”
Out There Colorado has reported that some riders had trouble with a small hump in the road near to the summit of the mountain. And that some witnesses believed that Dunne hit the bump at a high speed, which caused his front wheel to spin out.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene after the incident and one sports reporter for a local news-site were said to witness shrapnel flying over the edge of the mountain road.
Bikes have raced at Pikes Peak for many years now, although a recent ban on sportsbikes with full fairings and clip-on handlebars was brought in after a spate of motorcycle crashes in recent years. With the ban only limiting bikes running with full-fairings and clip-on bars, bikes like the V4 Streetfighter (which is effectively a Panigale V4 with no fairings and high-set handlebars) can legally take part.
All at Visordown send their deepest condolences to Carlin’s family and the Ducati North America team.
