Rider Breaks Iron Butt Distance Record On Ducati Multistrada

Rider Breaks Iron Butt Distance Record On Ducati Multistrada

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

DUCATI MULTISTRADA RIDER SETS ASTOUNDING FOUR-DAY RECORD WITH MARATHON TREK FROM ALASKA TO FLORIDA

Gary Eagan Races Against Time and the Elements From Alaska to Key West Braving Artic Snowstorms and Enduring Rough Roads to Set New World Record



CUPERTINO, CA – Four days and five hours may not seem like a long time. However, if you’re planted on a Ducati Multistrada motorcycle, intent on breaking the Iron Butt Association’s record for a north-to-south traverse of North America, it may be the longest 101 hours of your life.

Gary Eagan of Salt Lake City, Utah started his record run of nearly 7,500 miles in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on Thursday, June 17th. He left two days ahead of schedule because an approaching storm threatened to turn the first 500 miles of the trip – south along the stretch of gravel and clay known as the Haul Road – into an impassable bog.

But it wasn’t the weather that nearly ended his run. Just hours into the trip on the lonely, deep graveled road owned by the Alyeska Pipeline Company, Gary was run off the road by a truck 150 miles south of his starting point. His Ducati Multistrada lost its fuel cell, custom windshield, one mirror and one saddlebag. Gary broke his thumb and sprained his elbow in the encounter, but determined to finish, he pressed on into Fairbanks, Alaska.

From there he headed east toward British Columbia, Canada and then south to Kansas City, arriving early Sunday morning June 20th. There, Jim Koenig and his staff from Letko Competition Cycles helped repair the damage to the Multistrada while Gary slept for three hours. His bike repaired, Eagan then headed southeast, straight for Key West, Florida, arriving Monday evening, June 21st – four days and five hours later breaking the existing record by an amazing 13 hours!

“Without the help I received on Sunday, I just wouldn’t have had a chance at the record,” says Eagan. “I owe those two guys from Letko – Jim and Mario – a great big thank-you. As for the ride, I can say without a doubt it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Would I do it again? No, not ever. I just hope I can hold onto the record for a bit.”

Riding a mechanically stock Ducati Multistrada with 20,000 trouble-free miles on its odometer, Gary broke the year-old record held by Christopher Sakala, set riding a BMW R1150 GS. The only alterations to Eagan’s Ducati included the addition of a six-gallon auxiliary fuel cell, Light Force driving lamps, a one-off windscreen (which was lost in the accident), and a custom seat crafted by Rich’s Custom Saddles in Seattle.

“Gary’s record-setting run is a great testament to the hardiness, durability and reliability of the Multistrada,” says Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. “Considering the damage done to the bike in the encounter with the truck, Gary’s achievement in just completing the course thoroughly demonstrated the Multistrada’s quality construction and adaptability. Setting the record under such circumstances was simple brilliant.”

A full report on Gary Eagan’s exploits, complete with photos, is available on the Ducati North America web site at www.ducatiusa.com

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