Triumph Motorcycles has revealed its desire to compete in the motocross market for the first time in over 45 years, in an unexpected decision. According to Triumph, ten-time AMA Motocross National Champion Ricky Carmichael will be “an active partner in both bike testing and preparation for racing.”
Triumph’s announcement did not reveal a prototype, nor did it specify what size motor or when the British company plans to put a motocross motorcycle into production. The 1974 TR5MX Avenger was Triumph’s final motocrosser, a long-stroke, two-valve, 499cc thumper weighing 240 pounds dry.
“I am thrilled to announce that I am joining the Triumph family,” Carmichael said, “and even more excited to be a part of their new endeavor into the off-road product category. This is an incredible opportunity for me to join this historic brand, and I am honored 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,” Carmichael continued, “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 this project, from the engineers, design groups, R&D department, 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,” Carmichael concluded, “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.”
Carmichael just sold his Goat Farm motocross training facility to Star Racing Yamaha. He also serves as a color commentator on Monster Energy Supercross TV broadcasts.
Triumph is certainly tackling a crowded market. In addition to the four Japanese marques and the three flavors of KTM (KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas), there are also boutique brands such as TM and Beta.
“[This] marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Triumph brand, which everyone at Triumph is incredibly excited to be part of,” Triumph CEO Nick Bloor stated. “We are 100 percent 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.”
Triumph has been supplying three-cylinder 765cc spec motors for Moto2 World Championship Grand Prix road racing motorcycles since 2019, despite not being extensively involved in racing in recent years. Triumph’s most competition-oriented model is now the Daytona Moto2 765. The Daytona inline-3 has one cylinder that is 255cc—perhaps the first motocrosser will be a 250-class attempt.
Triumph also intends to build a competitive enduro motorcycle, with four-time EnduroGP winner Iván Cervantes working on the project.
The uniforms of Motocross riders are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
