The 95th Pikes Peak International Hillclimb (PPIHC) is approaching, with a race day of 25 June. Our man Travis Newbold (above on the Ronin) is returning to the battle, riding the Spanish-built Bott XR1. Testing of the Buell XBRR-powered bike has been carried out in Spain, with former World Superbike rider, Sergio Fuentes on-board. The bike will make its way to America soon, where Travis can finally get on board it.
I interviewed Travis about the Bott porject and his PPIHC history for Kriega's website. Here's a snippet...
Describe your favourite PPIHC section or corner?
Right after the start there are three corners taken nearly wide open, then I brake and drop two gears for a right hander lined with hay bales and armco. I exit the double apex right hand corner on the right side of the road, when I do it correct my right shoulder will brush the reed grass and I quickly flop over to my left careful to not clip my left knee on the curb inside of the first of four chicane kinks, that all are taking holding the same gear. It is bumpy and crossing the paint lines is dodgy. When done well it feels better than sex.
Read the rest at Kriega. com and check out the special edition Kriega Bottpower luggage the have made, some of which has already sold out. All sales go directly to the team's PPIHC race effort.