Aprilia also wins at Pike's Peak

From Aprilia USA

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – An Aprilia SXV 5.5 easily outdistanced a competitive field to earn victory in the 86th annual Pike’s Peak Race to the Clouds: America’s most famous, toughest and most spectacular hill climb. The Aprilia SXV 5.5 recorded the best time of any motorcycle.

Aboard the twin-cylinder supermotard rider Davey Durelle surpassed machines with far bigger engines in the 750cc class.

"This is really a great victory for us and would not have been possible without the assistance of members from the Aprilia flat track team, the Aprilia Supermoto team, and the local Aprilia dealer," said Rick Panettieri, Aprilia brand manager. "Davey is a great rider and earned this awesome victory."

Another Aprilia competitor, Paul Thede finished fifth aboard an SXV 4.5 in the Supermoto class, which consisted mostly of highly modified motocross machines.

This historic win for Aprilia was supplemented by an impressive fifth place for Italian rider Andrea Padovani on a stock Aprilia SMV750 Dorsoduro. The latest addition to the Aprilia range, the SMV750 Dorsoduro had no qualms at all about taking on all comers -- including specialist hill climb machines -- over a difficult and slippery course on a bike designed for everyday roads and normal life.

Cristian Lancellotti, riding another Aprilia SXV 5.5, finished in eighth place.

Famed as "The Race to the Clouds," this unique Colorado event and festival of motorcycling is held annually every July and provides a unique test for men and machines. The event attracts all sorts of vehicles from rally cars, open wheel cars and 4x4s of up to nearly 1000 hp, and 3000 hp trucks.