IMOLA WINNER PAUL SMART JUDGES WASHINGTON DC MONSTER CHALLENGE Third woman Ducatista wins Monster Challenge with unique Monster 900 Cupertino, CA – Never has the diversity of the Ducati Monster been better showcased than in the Washington, DC round of the Monster Challenge where Rhonda Hoffman’s ingeniously painted bike stole top honors at the fifth round of The Challenge in the Nation’s Capital. Hoffman became the third woman to win a regional round of The Challenge. Her 1998 Monster 900 sported a different paint scheme on each side and won over the panel of judges. One celebrity judge, the legendary Paul Smart, said her bike “simply makes me smile.” “I was amazed to learn that she did the paint job herself. It is a great piece of art, and looks especially good on a bike that is obviously ridden often,” added Smart. The Imola champion was in Washington, DC to attend the Coleman Powersports gala introduction of the Ducati SportClassics, including his namesake bike the Paul Smart 1000 LE. “I’m beyond impressed with this Monster!” Smart said. “I’m amazed I won,” commented Hoffman. “I put everything I think is cool into the bike, especially the paint job, which I did all by myself,” added the former automobile painter. “It’s really neat to pull up to a stoplight and listen to the young guys tell me how cool the bike is and give me a big thumbs up.” Rhonda’s cleverly painted machine eked out a narrow victory over the totally rebuilt 1995 Monster 900 assembled by Randy Jones of North Potomac, MD. Randy took a more performance-oriented approach to his bike, including an 888 swingarm, full slipper clutch and 944 big bore kit with 41mm flatside carbs. Superb finish work gave his bike a stunning look that wasn’t lost on the judges or the public. “We rescued this bike from the grave,” said Jones. “I got it as a total wreck, and we took it down to the frame and rebuilt it from scratch, even milling out the clutch housing by hand. It’s not ‘over the top’ but still a really nice Monster. I absolutely love the way it rides, looks and sounds,” continued Jones. While the 2002 Monster 900 Corse themed bike of Reston, VA’s Gene Hunt took third place in the official judging, the show goers dubbed his beautifully prepared Monster their favorite in the “People’s Choice Voting.” “This bike began as a Dark model, and stock was a very competent Ducati and very comfortable for an old guy like me,” said Hunt. It just needed some visual help, and is a badge to those of us with little mechanical knowledge, and a statement of what one can do to modify a Monster through well chosen aftermarket parts, little mechanical ability and few tools,” Hunt mused. “I love the overall Corse red Ducati theme!” Joining motorcycle legend Paul Smart as judges were Larry Grodsky, contributing editor for Rider Magazine, and Nick Nichols, owner of Nichols Motorcycle Product Evaluation Company, a firm that has been testing motorcycles and related equipment for multiple manufacturers for nearly 20 years. “All these bikes are real-world riders,” commented Grodsky, “not just concourse machines that travel on trailers. That’s very impressive, considering how well done they all are. It’s a credit to the design and appeal of the Monster,” Grodsky continued. Hoffman will join the winners of the other rounds of this year’s Monster Challenge at the National Finals in April at the Barber Motorsports Park, where the winner of the grand finale will receive a 2006 Monster S2R 1000. The next round of the Monster Challenge will be staged this coming weekend, January 20-22 in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center. For more information, 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. The Company produces motorcycles in six market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster, Sport Touring, Multistrada and the new SportClassic. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at www.ducatiusa.com.