Cupertino, CA November 16, 2005 – The opening salvo for this year’s Ducati Monster Challenge was fired in Houston, TX, this past weekend when 10 superbly prepared machines duked it out for the bragging rights for having the “Baddest” Monster in the Lone Star State. When the independent judges ballots were tallied, Houston-based Kyle Brussich was given a second chance to vie for the overall title that eluded her last year, where she finished third in the national judging at Daytona Bike Week with her 2000 Monster 900. More primping, prepping and polishing over the past six months helped Kyle edge out Jeff Brooks and Michael Kellett in this year’s event. “I never intended this to be a show bike, it was just the perfect bike for me to ride. But I had back surgery a few years ago, and was unable to ride for almost a year and boredom set in, so we (she and husband Al Brussich) started dreaming up the modifications. It turned out great, and sharing the bike with the people at the IMS shows and meeting the other Monster Challenge entrants has been the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” Kyle added. Jeff Brooks of Austin placed second in the Houston Monster Challenge. Jeff calls his beautifully painted 1998 Monster 900 a “beautiful track attack bike.” His machine’s modifications go deeper than the paint job, with extensive engine and suspension work making the bike a potent track day machine. But Brooks says “it’s the people in this show that make it so good. We all got together, talked motorcycles and life and just had a great time.” Michael Kellett, who hails from Bryan, TX, was one of six first-time entrants in The Challenge, and he also oriented his 2001 Chromo more toward use as a track weapon wrapped up in gorgeous skin. “My bike started out as a Chromo, but when I started building it for track day riding I replaced the tank and tail section. It’s eye-catching, but not flashy or overdone. That incredible Ducati sound and the slipper clutch are probably my favorite things about the bike,” according to Kellett. The Houston Monster Challenge was judged by Reynolds Mason of Ride Texas Magazine, Aaron Zimmerman, owner of the motorcycle accessory firm Legal Speeding, Francis Clax, producer of the Austin area television program “This is Motorcycling” and Nick Nichols, whose firm has been testing motorcycles, tires and other bike-related products for 35 years. All agreed the scope of the bikes from top to bottom was excellent, with Nichols summing up the overall decision when he said “These machines all just jump out at you. They all would make anyone who walked by turn around and stare.” Round two of the Monster Challenge will be December 2-4 in Seattle, followed by shows in Long Beach, San Jose, Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta and Montreal. For more information on the Monster Challenge, please visit www.ducatiusa.com . Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won eleven of the last thirteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in five market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport; Monster, Sport Touring and Multistrada. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at www.ducatiusa.com.