ITALIAN DIEGO DEGASPERI NAMED 2025 PPIHC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has added a new name and second consecutive Italian, to the prestigious Rookie of the Year roster. Diego Degasperi, racing out of Trento, Italy, joins countryman, Christian Merli, who was honored in 2024.
FAST FIRST APPEARANCE
Traveling to America alongside teammate, Simone Faggioli, a PPIHC veteran, Degasperi qualified on the first day of Race Week. It was his first session on the mountain. His qualifying time of 03:40.591 foreshadowed what was to come.
On the second practice day, when he moved up to the middle section, Degasperi described his biggest challenge, “Even though I’d studied the onboard videos, on that first run I was paralyzed. I couldn’t accelerate. The snow was on the roadsides, and the open hairpin bends were scary.”
FAN FEST
When three days of qualifying were complete, Degasperi made the Fast 15 listing, a group of the top qualifiers for race day. He was the only rookie on the impressive roster. He appeared with his Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl at Fan Fest in Colorado Springs to meet fans and sign autographs.
“Fan Fast was incredible – just stunning!” exclaimed Degasperi, listing it as one of his most memorable moments of 2025.
ROOKIE WEIGHT LIFTED
After a more than two-hour weather delay, the race began, although it wouldn’t be to the summit. Due to incredible wind speeds on the mountain, the finish line was moved down to Glen Cove. Instead of a race over three sections, the 2025 Race to the Clouds would cover only the lower section.
Degasperi confidently launched from the line and reached the brake check station at Glen Cove in just over three and a half minutes.
Of the twenty-one rookies competing in 2025, Degasperi clocked the best time on race day. His closest competitor was first-time racer, Patrick Culligan, in the Pikes Peak Open division, who finished in 04:26.743.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Degasperi shared his thoughts on being named 2025 Rookie of the Year, “Making my debut on such a difficult track and winning this award makes me very proud. This award was won by champions like Loeb, Dumas, Faggioli, Merli, etc., etc., now also Degasperi, wow!
“This was a dream. You always have to believe in your dreams. They do come true.”
Diego Degasperi
BEYOND 2025
Asked about plans to return and make another attempt at a full-course run, Degasperi shared, “I hope so, but it won’t be easy. The Pikes Peak dream ends at 4300 meters (14,115′), but this year we stopped at 3600 m (13,300′). Organizing the trip for us, as Europeans, is not only very expensive but also very difficult in terms of logistics. My fingers are crossed to return.”
GET TO KNOW DIEGO DEGASPERI
Instagram: @diego_degasperi
Fun Facts:
“I started racing in 1993 when I was 26 years old, and actually I’ve run about 300 races.”
“As a hobby, I practice ski mountaineering in the winter. I also enjoy road cycling in the summer.
“My favourite foods are grilled meat and aperitifs.”
Who do you want to thank for contributing to your success this year? “There are many people, starting from my family who supported me; especially my daughter Arianna. We shared twelve days of emotions. I would like to thank the Faggioli team for their professionalism and my friends with the collection of signatures (100). Of course, a big thank you to all the sponsors.”
What other races have you enjoyed?
“Trento/Bondone (Italy)
Levico Vetriolo Panarotta (Italy)
Iglesias Sant’Angelo (Italy)
Pedavena Croce d’Aune (Italy)
Vittorio Veneto Cansiglio (Italy)
Montèe des Lègendes – Col de la Faucille GEX (France)
Ecce Homo (Czech Republic)”
Photos by: PPIHC – Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
