COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Ducati racer Carlin Dunne was killed in a crash Sunday during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, according to a joint statement from PPIHC and Ducati North America. CNN reports Dunne crashed his 2019 Ducati Streetfighter V4 Prototype bike less than a quarter of a mile from the finish line.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a 12.42-mile race to the summit of Pikes Peak. Dunne, 36, had won the iconic race four times and was defending his title when he was killed Sunday morning at the 97th edition of the race. Official details as to what led to the crash are not known.

"The collective hearts of the Colorado Springs community and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, along with Ducati North America, share the grief and pain of Carlin Dunne's family, friends and fans over his untimely death," read a statement from the race organizer.

Before Sunday's race, Dunne talked to CNN about the dangers he and others face in the 4,720-foot climb.

"It can be dangerous if you don't take it seriously," said Dunne. "There's so many variables in a racecourse like this, everything from animals to the weather. It's almost like it's a living, breathing organism, this mountain, and you have to take it seriously."

Dunne gained legendary status at the Pikes Peak race after winning in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018. He set the course record back in 2012, but that was eventually broken in 2017 by Chris Fillmore.