Hero Racing Ducati just snatched the overall motorcycle victory at the Casey Folks Vegas to Reno off-road race for the second straight year, a massive win made even crazier by the historic course change this time around. This isn’t just another win, fam, it’s a statement, especially on the 30th anniversary of this iconic race.
The Reverse Course Gauntlet
Talk about throwing a curveball! For its 30th anniversary, the 2026 Vegas to Reno race flipped the script, running nearly 500 miles south from Reno all the way to Las Vegas. That meant competitors tackled Nevada’s rugged high desert in reverse, hitting rocky canyons, mountain ranges, dry lake beds, and fast desert valleys in a totally unfamiliar direction. It was a brutal test for 147 entries, but Ciaran Naran, Callum Norton, and Cody Simpson of Hero Racing Ducati absolutely crushed it, clocking an official time of 7:44:26. Cody Simpson said it best, “It was awesome. We had some cool moisture for the first 280 miles and a few rain ruts out there. The course was great and had a little bit of everything… there were huge battles all day long, back and forth, and it was just an unreal day.” You can practically feel the grit and the adrenaline just reading that!
Pirelli Dominates The Desert
Pirelli-equipped teams were straight up showing out across the board. Hero Racing Ducati’s winning ride rocked a Pirelli SCORPION™ XC Mid Hard 80/100-21 on the front and a SCORPION™ Rally Race 140/80-18 on the rear, a combo clearly built for whatever the Nevada desert could throw at them. Not only did Hero Racing Ducati take the top spot, but Johnny Campbell Racing Honda, with Preston Campbell and Skyler Howes, snagged a hard-fought second place overall. Plus, in the Over 30 Pro class, the FOHSE LED Ducati team of Jordan Graham, Travis Damon, Kyle Tichenor, and Brett Stevens also clinched a victory with their Pirelli-equipped bike. Josh Whitmire, Pirelli North America’s Director of Sales, nailed it: “To see Hero Racing Ducati win this race is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the riders, the team, and the performance of our products in extremely demanding conditions.” This weekend in the desert proves Pirelli’s tires are built to perform when it matters most, making them the real MVP for these desert warriors.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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