Pikes Peak cancels ALL motorcycle racing for 2020

Pikes Peaks organisers have taken the decision to suspend all motorcycle racing at America’s prestigious hill climb in 2020, following the death of rider Carlin Dunne at this year’s event.

Motorcycles have been a fixture at The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event for the last 29 years – but the board that runs the race have opted to suspend the motorcycle class for 2020.

Tom Osborne, chairman of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb board of directors, said: “Motorcycles have been a part of the PPIHC for the past 29 years, and their history on America’s Mountain dates back to the inaugural running in 1916. That said, the motorcycle program hasn’t been an annual event. They have run 41 of the 97 years we’ve been racing on Pikes Peak. It’s just time to take a hard look at every aspect of the race, including the motorcycle program, and determine whether or not the event may change.”

There have been several high profile incidents since the course was fully paved back in 2012, and Ducati were actually instrumental in helping to keep bike racing going, by creating a mentoring program where experienced riders (like Carlin Dunne) instructed rookie riders how to get to the top quickly and safely.

This isn’t the first time that motorcycle racing has been suspended from the hill climb – so this decision doesn’t necessarily mark the end of all two wheeled action on the Colorado mountain course. Hopefully the organisers are trying to find a way to make it safer. But only time will tell.