2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Riding an Aprilia SXV 5.5, Durelle beat all other entries in the 750cc class in the 87th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, July 19. Durelle raced 12.42 miles and climbed 4,721 ft to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado with a time of 11:48.649.

We anticipated an influx of Aprilias in this years competition, after Davey beat much larger bikes to the top on the SXV last year, says Rick Panettieri, Aprilia brand manager. As evidenced by another triumph, the SXV is ideal for a mountain road like that at Pikes Peak. The revolutionary light-weight body, packed with power and superb maneuverability, makes this the best motorcycle for twisty mountain roads paved or dirt.

Durelle finished just a tenth of a second faster than KTM-rider Gary Trachy. Jeff Grace, riding a 2005 KTM 610SMR finished third in the class with a time of 1:59.156, placing three motorcycles among the 11 entrants to finish under the 12-minute mark.

I had pole for race day and was able to get the hole shot. I lead for the first two miles of the race until Gary passed me, says Durelle. He put a little distance on me on the lower asphalt section. We were neck-and-neck and I just beat him to the inside of the last left hand sweeper. I held him off until the finish line.

Giuliano Covezzi, another Aprilia SXV rider, finished fourth in the 750cc class to earn Rookie of the Year honors from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb staff.

Greg Tracy won the 1205cc class with a time of 12:29.120 on a BMW HP2, a change from the Ducati Hypermotard he used to win the 2008 event.

Stuart Sinclair took the Supermoto class with a time of 12:16.652 riding a 2005 Honda 450. Also riding Hondas were Joe Prussiano who won the 450cc class on a 2003 CR450 with a time of 12:32.825, and Chuck Lee who won the 250cc class, finishing in 13:08.534 on a CR250R.

Eddie Mulder claimed victory in the Vintage class, climbing Pikes Peak in a 1969 Triumph Bonneville with a time of 13:37.595. David Hennessy and passenger Jim Vietti won the sidecar class in a 2001 Suzuki EML with a time of 15:57.623.