MONSTER NEW YORK CROWD WELCOMES MONSTER CHALLENGE CONTESTANTS Cupertino, CA January 25th, 2006 A diverse set of Monsters competed this past weekend in the sixth round of the Ducati Monster Challenge at New York City’s Javits Center. The crowd of over 80,000 people was treated to a variety of machines from minimalist street-fighters to tricked-out performance bikes. When the independent panel of judges tallied their points, the 1999 Monster 900 of Gene Giorgini rose to the top. As in past rounds of The Challenge, the judges admitted to having a difficult time choosing any one of the bikes as best of show. “The first thing that struck me,” said Nolan Woodbury from Moto Euro Magazine, “was that most of these are daily riders, and that certainly counts for something,” continued Woodbury. “Sometimes the Monsters look better when they have been pounded and ridden in New York. But ultimately I chose my winner based on a clean and well carried out theme. It (Giorgini’s bike) showed very well.” Brian Rathjen, publisher of Backroads magazine added, “I’ve always thought the Monster was a great canvas to use to produce a work of art, and all these bikes followed through with that.” Giorgini, from Westwood, NJ, presented a bike that featured an array of performance parts coupled with some beautiful hand-made pieces. Chopped, under-the-motor side exhaust system and extensive engine and suspension work also sat well with the judges. Close behind Giorgini in the scoring was Tom Whittaker from Auburn, MA. His 2000 Monster 900S, boasted extensive carbon fiber parts, including the tank and a custom Ducati Corse paint scheme running from nose to tail. “There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears in my bike,” offered Whittaker. “I’m not done with the bike yet, and have lots planned for next year. I bought my 900 after coming to the Monster Challenge here last year and saw those incredible machines,” he added. Third place was awarded to Michelle Medina, an animal keeper at the Bronx Zoo. Her 2002 Monster 620 Dark featured many personal touches including an actual British Army gas mask placed around the custom twin lamp headlights. Medina’s bike had been cut down to a roughly 28-inch seat height to accommodate her short inseam. “Man, I can get my feet on the ground, and that’s cool for me, said Medina. “And I tried to keep an industrial theme throughout the bike, with the brushed aluminum fender, belly pan and grips.” But of all the bikes shown, none was better received by the public than the Reverend Steve Perry’s exquisitely painted and prepared 2000 Monster 900. Although the judges thought the overall modification theme was not as consistent as the top three winners, the retired minister, know as “The Rev,” tallied the most votes in the People’s Choice contest and was a crowd favorite. The next round of the Monster Challenge will be February 10-12 at the Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. For more information, please visit www.ducatiusa.com.