Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128389
June 25, 2005 OFF-ROAD ~ Pikes Peak Hlllclimb DYMO D IN THE ROUGH Micky Dymond sets a new, blazingly fast record 66 AUGUST 3, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS he Pikes Peak Hillclimb is the second oldest race in the United States. Overlooking Colorado Springs, Colorado, the start line is at 9200 feet and the finish line is on the 14,1 10-foot summit. In between, 156 corners help to make the race one of the most challenging on the planet. It's always been man against the mountain at the world's most famous hillclimb, but this was a year where the gaps between first- and second-place finishers made this more evident then ever. Three records fell and a new one was established as riders conquered the Peak. The first Pro class up the Mountain was 250cc Pro, where Mark Miller got the jump on defending champion Nathan Conley. Conley trailed for the first mile on pavement before taking the lead just before the tricky and tight Engineers Hairpin. From there, the course opens up and climbs past the Picnic Grounds, one of the fastest straights on the mountain, before it turns to a dirt road. Over the next two miles, Conley climbed another 1000 feet and slid through four major corners, including Brown Bush, Blue Sky, I 1Mile Hairpin and Gilley's corner. When he reached the Ski Area, he took a glance behind him and could see Miller fading. From that point on, Conley held his position and, as he said, "tried to run a smart pace." After another eight miles and 3000 feet of climbing, Conley crossed the line with a time of 13 minutes, 0.651 seconds. Jeff Steinberger eventually passed Miller to take second, 15 seconds behind Conley. "I can't be more happy," Conley said. "That's the way we wanted to go out. We're definitely going to be ready for four-wheels next year." Multi-time 500cc Pro champion Davey Durelle missed qualifying to do another race in Kansas and had to start at the back of the field. Greg Trachy started from the front and looked strong until he reached the 13,ooo-foot Bottomless Pit, a fast right-hand corner named for it's 4000foot drop-off. Trachy had engine problems earlier and had another one at the pit, handing the win to Durelle. Durelle, riding a 2005 Honda CRF450, finished just over 42 seconds ahead of Greg Chicoine and his Kawasaki. "I didn't know if I was going to be the winner today or not," Durelle said. "Everything was really tough. It was a tough weekend for me. I didn't really get a lot of time on the mountain. I rode another event last night in Kansas. We rode back all night long, and we ended up skipping qualifying. It's been a busy weekend." Pikes Peak rookie, but Supermoto veteran, Micky Dymond was the story of the weekend as he stunned the organization by breaking Clint Vahsholtz's I I-year-old record of 12 minutes, 21 seconds in the 750cc Pro class. Dymond qualified first on his KTM 750 SMR and crossed the line in a record time of 12: 12.614. Jeff Grace on T