Triumph is no stranger to off-road riding, with foundations laid in the gruelling desert races of the 1950s and ‘60s – not to forget that iconic TR6 650 Great Escape chase. In fact, Steve McQueen’s first ‘desert sled’ was a Bonneville, modified by his stunt double Bud Ekins, who himself won the 1962 ISDT on a TR6 SCT. And while the current line-up features a brace of adventure and scrambler machines, there has been nothing in the recent Hinckley history that would qualify for conventional competition – until now, that is.
Triumph gets down and dirty
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Today, the British manufacturer has announced the development of a range of motocross and enduro machines, alongside an all new Triumph factory race programme, and a commitment to championship level racing in both series. To realise this dream, it has drafted in retired motocross legend Ricky Carmichael and five-times Enduro World Champion and Dakar finisher Iván Cervantes, in order to test and fine-tune the new machines.
Also known as The G.O.A.T., Carmichael counts 15 motocross championships, five Supercross championships and a combined (and unsurpassed) 150 races to his name.
Of the partnership, he commented: “This is an incredible opportunity for me to join this historic brand, and I am honoured and humbled to be a part of the development and release of their off-road motorcycles.
“Building something from the ground up is something that really is intriguing to me at this stage of my career. What is impressive to me is Triumph's dedication, and passion to develop a top of the class product. Everyone that I have been involved with in this project from the engineers, design groups, R&D dept., etc., have shown extreme passion for what they are doing and that is a recipe for success and something that I love being a part of.
We all share that same passion, and that's to be the best.
“Not only are these exciting times for me, but it's an exciting time for the off-road industry to be adding another brand to the mix and the opportunities that lie ahead for all off-road consumers. I can’t wait to see the reactions when these models hit the dealer's showroom floors.”
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Cervantes added: “I have loved Triumph motorcycles right from being a small kid, seeing them in films and on television. So to be working with Triumph from the beginning of this project, is an amazing opportunity for me, not just because it is working with one of the world’s greatest motorcycle brands, but also for being part of building something from zero. It is a dream come true for any racer!
“Like me, everyone I am working with at Triumph is focused to make the bikes the best they can be. I cannot wait to see the bikes competing at a world level, but I also look forward to when I can stand in a Triumph dealer and know I was part of this very special project.”
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With such an accomplished team, Triumph’s newest offering will no doubt offer worthy competition to the likes of KTM, Husqvarna, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki, who currently dominate the off-road world. But Carmichael’s comments hint at the work that Triumph has put and has yet to put into the new project. With no pre-existing platform to derive these models from, the manufacturer is faced with a mammoth R&D task.
Further information on the models, and a projected timeline of the development and racing programme will follow soon.
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