Triumph has announced it will expand its motorcycle range with a move into the Motocross and Enduro area, complemented by a factory-backed racing programme.
A significant shift in ethos from the British marque, which has to date focused largely on large capacity premium models, Triumph will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Honda, Yamaha and KTM with a fresh range of MX and Enduro models.
More details of the models, plus a timeline for when they will be revealed, will be communicated in due course, but Triumph has confirmed it will Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael and five-time Enduro World Champion Ivan Cervantes have been brought on board to lead development.
“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Triumph brand,
which everyone at Triumph is incredibly excited to be part of.
“We are 100% committed to making a long-lasting impact in this highly competitive and demanding world, with a single-minded ambition to deliver a winning motorcycle line-up for a whole new generation of Triumph riders.”
Nicknamed ‘the GOAT’ (Greatest of All-Time), Carmichael’s inclusion represents something of a coup for Triumph. Though he has most recently competed with Kawasaki, he enjoyed the majority of this Motocross success with Suzuki.
He has 15 Motocross titles and won an unsurpassed 150 races during his lengthy career.
“I am thrilled to announce that I am joining the Triumph family and even more excited to be a part of their new endeavour into the off-road product category.
“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. If you are familiar with the Triumph brand, you already know the quality of craftsmanship is top shelf, and the off-road models will follow suit to their past!
“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.”
Spanish competitor Cervantes, meanwhile, made his name in Enduro, winning three world championship titles, plus an FIM Indoor Enduro World Cup crown.
“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.”
