Photo Credits: Simon Cudby
“There were a lot of questions about the Triumph TF 250-X coming into 2024, but after nine races in Supercross, a lot of development and testing, the gap to our competitors is a lot smaller,” says Bobby Hewitt, Triumph Racing Team Principal. “I feel a lot better coming into the outdoor season than what I did for the indoors.”
Triumph steps up to Tim Cotter’s challenge to take the fight outside with a two-rider team as Joey Savatgy returns to racing and Jalek Swoll builds on his SX success. “The Nationals are very difficult for riders. In the past five seasons there’s been an average of 121 entries, and from those nine complete every race with just five of those scoring points in every moto,” explains Hewitt. “It’s tough! But Jalek’s had an incredible year so far with great moments, which gives him confidence and motivation coming into outdoors.”
“Looking ahead to the Nationals, I feel really good,” says Swoll. “If I’m honest I prefer the outdoors and I'm definitely pumped and excited to showcase what I and the bike can do. The goal is to fight for podiums at each round as I’m plenty capable of being up there and the bike is, too. The Grand Prix guys are already outdoors and so we can fast forward a few things from what they’ve learned.”
“Joey coming into the outdoors is a huge positive for the team and Jalek; it gives him a teammate to talk about different lines and other details,” notes Hewitt. “Sure, it does make our life busier each weekend, but this year has been very stressful having all of our eggs in one basket, so it’s nice to have two riders out on track.”
Savatgy says, "My goal for the season is to go and win - I feel connected to the bike. A lack of gate drops is never ideal, but I know the Triumph TF 250-X well, my fitness is good and so I think we can do some damage. My experience will be an advantage with a long season and a lot of motos. For the times when it just isn’t clicking, it’s about maximizing the points and doing the best I can do. I’ll get the wins if they’re there, but on the weekends that don’t come as easy I’ll remember the long game and grab the points. If we can leave the first round in a good place mentally, it will set the tone for the rest of the season.”
The motocross world will see what happens when Triumph comes out swinging on Saturday!
“I have one goal and that’s to win the championship; everything else is just the process of getting there. We know the bike a lot better, have a solid base and a motivated team and riders. For Pala, if both riders are in the top 10 of both motos, I’d be very pleased about that. By the time we reach High Point Raceway, the fourth round of the season, we will have experienced different track types, conditions, and weather, so after that I’d be expecting top fives and podiums from the mid-season,” concludes Hewitt.