Sunday during the Flying Dutchmen’s annual Hill Climb competition; 209 motorcycle riders from 11 states competed across 21 motorcycle divisions to climb the hill the quickest.

The hill climb began with the small engine motorcycles, including the minis and 65cc engines.

With the lower-powered bikes it was a fight as to whether the biker would reach the top of the hill, but the higher powered classes were able to climb the hill in six seconds. The top riders were able to conquer the hill in under six seconds. The top competitors were able to do it under five seconds.

“The record is 3.791 seconds,” Braiden Henry of Mankato said. This record was set by his uncle Jay Sallstrom in 2009. Henry has competed in the hill climb the last 18 years, but his best time so far is 4.3 seconds.

Sunday, the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club hosted a motorcycle hill climb. The club’s hill over 200 feet from base to peak. A total of 209 riders would take turns racing to the top.

During this year’s hill climb, Henry managed a time of 5.044 seconds in the Open Class division, taking fourth in the division.

Henry said the trick to mastering the Flying Dutchmen hill is getting a quick start at the bottom of the hill.

“If you get out clean, you will always have a top time,” he said.

Fellow Mankato rider Jason Laven gave similar advice for the hill climb. He said, “Be as smooth as you can. Get that back wheel down as fast and you can and power up the hill. Having a long bike helps because that will help you keep that front wheel in control.”

Laven has participated in the Flying Dutchmen Hill Climb since 2008, but has traveled all over to compete. He considers the Mankato Hill Climb and New Ulm Hill Climb to be his home races.

Logan Peterson of Ellsworth, Wisconsin launches off the first jump at the Flyindg Dutchmen Hill Climb. Peterson would win the 2-Stroke division of the hill climb with a time of 4.683 seconds

Laven would come in second in the King of The Hill competition at the end the day. He finished with a time of 4.812 seconds, a few hundredths of a second behind professional rider Bodee O’Neil.

O’Neil is a professional hill climb racers and competes on the National Circuit. From Hager City, Wisconsin, O’Neil was one of several Wisconsin riders competing in the Flying Dutchmen hill climb.

“There are a lot of fast Wisconsin bikers,” O’Neil said.

This was the first time O’Neil had competed at The Flying Dutchmen Hill Climb in five years. This weekend he was testing out a new bike ahead of the professional season.

His advice for winning the hill climb was, “Stay low after the jump and get in a rut.”

Bodee O’Neil and Logan Peterson hit the first jump in the final race of the verta-cross tournament.

Halfway through the hill climb competition, some of the riders volunteered to take park in a single-elimination verta-cross tournament. Riders took part in head to head races up the hill. The final matchup was between two Wisconsin riders O’Neil and Logan Peterson of Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

It was a close race, but Bodee came out on top first.

Peterson came in second in the verta-cross tournament, he would finish first in the 2-Stroke Class. Peterson said he had been attending the Flying Dutchmen Hill Climb since 2005. He also said the goal for winning in the hill climb was stay low and find a smooth line to the top.

Flying Dutchmen Club Member Tony Effenberger said the participation for this year’s hill climb was strong. This year’s event also served as a memorial for life club member Ricky Wiltscheck who died in June.

Wiltscheck participated in the hill climb for years and was well remembered by club members. The poster and t-shirts for this years event included a photo of Wiltscheck competing in the hill climb.

Professional hill climb rider Bodee O’Neil of Hager City, Wisconsin walks his bike off the hill after winning the verta-cross head-to-head tournament. His advice for winning the hill climb was, “Stay low after the jump and get in a rut.”

Club member Nathan Staples said Ricky loved to ride motorcycles and loves the club.

“He was devoted to this club,” Staples said.

Ricky Wiltscheck’s brother Gene Wiltscheck said he would remember his brother for his sense of humor and love of motorcycles.

Hill Climbs Results

Nathan Staples shows off the 2025 Hill Climb shirt that features an image of Ricky Wiltscheck, competing in a past hill climb. This year’s hill climb was held as a memorial for Wiltscheck who died in June. Staples said Wiltscheck loved hill climb and devoted to the club.

Lincoln Haugen of Red Wing finished first in the Micro Minis Class with a fast time of 8.084 seconds.

Vinchenzo Etchen of Ellsworth, Wisconsin won the 65cc division with a fast time of 7.945 seconds. Etchen would also place first in the Mini Jr division with a time of 6.692 seconds.

Easton Marking of Cannon Falls won the Mini Sr division with a time of 7.007 seconds.

Easton Mack of New Ulm won the super mini division with a time of 7.091 seconds. Mack would also place first in the 200cc division with a time of 5.827. Mack would also be awarded the Youth King of the Hill Award for a time of 7.177 seconds

In the 125cc division, Cameron Sears had the fastest time at 6.486 seconds.

Bodee O’Neil of Hager City, Wisconsin finished first in 250cc with a time of 5.259 seconds. O’Neil also had the fastest time in 450cc class with a time of 5.045 seconds. He would also win in the open class tournament with this KTM 1190 bike, reaching the hill top with a time of 4.952 seconds. O’Neil also won King of the Hill with a 4.768 second time.

The Women’s division was won by Maya Peterson of Ellsworth, Wisconsin with a time of 6.747 seconds.

AJ Engnes of Beldenville, Wisconsin took first in the 400 Stock class with 7.145 seconds.

Isaiah Wilson of Hastings finished first in 600cc with a time of 5.125 seconds.

Jason Braun of Sleepy Eye won the Master class with a time of 4.975 seconds.

Todd Cipola of Ellsworth, Wisconsin won the Veteran class with a time of 4.950 seconds.

Brad Cain of Woodbury won the Vintage Bike division with a time of 6.464 seconds.

Logan Peterson of Ellworth, Wisconsin won the 2-Stroke class with a time of 4.683 seconds.

The 4-Stroke division was won by Tyson haas of Lodi, Wisconsin with a time of 5.265 seconds.