Carlin Dunne dies at Pikes Peak

The 97th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has taken a tragic turn, with defending title-holder Carlin Dunne dying following a crash in the historic American event held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Sunday, June 30.

Dunne, who last year claimed his fourth Pikes Peak victory aboard a Ducati Multistrada 1260, had qualified on pole for the 2019 event, this time aboard a prototype Ducati Streetfighter V4.

According to a report in a local Colorado Springs newspaper, The Gazette, the 36-year-old was close to the finish line – and possibly his fifth Pikes Peak win – when he struck a bump, lost control and crashed into nearby boulders.

He was reportedly conscious immediately following the crash but later succumbed to his injuries.

The bittersweet victory in the event's premiere motorcycle class, the Pikes Peak Heavyweight division, went to expat Australian motorcycle journalist Rennie Scaysbrook, who piloted his Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 to the summit in a blistering time of 9:44.963sec.

Scaysbook had finished in second place at the event last year, when he was runner-up to Dunne.

Race organisers and Ducati North America have issued the following joint media statement:

"The collective hearts of the Colorado Springs community and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, along with Ducati North America, share the grief and pain of Carlin Dunne's family, friends and fans over his untimely death.

"Throughout the 97 years that this unique race has been conducted on America's Mountain, we have experienced the ultimate joy in victory, the disappointment of failure and now, the unexpected heartbreak of the loss of a competitor, whose love of the race brought him to Pikes Peak.

"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. 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."

Jason Chinnock, CEO Ducati North America, also paid his respects to Dunne.

"There are no words to describe our shock and sadness. Carlin was part of our family and one of the most genuine and kind men we have ever known. His spirit for this event and love of motorcycling will be remembered forever as his passing leaves a hole in our hearts."

Dunne is the seventh rider to lose his life in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which is a timed sprint for both cars and motorcycles to the top of Pikes Peak along a serpentine 12.42-mile road.

Dunne had earlier spoken with CNN on the inherent danger of the event before the race.

"It can be dangerous if you don't take it seriously," he said.

"There's so many variables in a racecourse like this, everything from animals to the weather. It's almost like it's a living, breathing organism, this mountain, and you have to take it seriously."

Dunne's name was synonymous with success at the event, the Californian triumphing in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018.