Dubai: South African expatriate Lara Pepler has become the first woman to win the UAE Sportsbike Championship.
Pepler, who is also the current Ducati Owners Club President, clinched the usually male-dominated series, which is held over the winter months across different configurations of Dubai Autodrome. Riders compete on bikes from various manufacturers, with Pepler on a Ducati.
“Despite a late start to the season, the Ducati team competed with determination, dedication and teamwork,” said Ducati UAE manager Joel O’Brien. “Lara has been a great brand ambassador for Ducati since 2010, and this win demonstrates not only her skills as a “Ducatista”, but the increasing appeal sportsbikes are having among women,” he added.
The Ducati Owners Club UAE was established in 2010 and meets every Friday for group rides around the UAE. Revolution Accessories, which is owned by the Al Masaood Group, sponsors the owners club and supports their activities, which include first aid and advanced rider training.
The annual World Ducati Week is also approaching. Started in 2002, the Ducati garage contest rewards the best custom-built Ducati Monster bikes created by Ducatisti from all over the world. Photos of the creation along with a compiled entry form should be emailed to dgc@ducati.com by May 30. Experts will then select the best 10 bikes to be exhibited at Misano in July. For more information email marwa_kaabour@masaood.com or call 02-201-7955.
