What in the name of Cheney Racing is going on here? Triumph Motorcycles has announced that development is well underway on a comprehensive range of all-new competition Motocross and Enduro motorcycles. “Joining our class-leading and globally renowned motorcycle range, this all-new competition MX and Enduro family will bring all of Triumph’s engineering expertise to riders and racers worldwide,” proclaims Triumph kingpin Nick Bloor.
“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,” says Bloor, Triumph’s CEO. “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.”
To help launch an all-new Triumph factory race program and prove the company’s commitment to top-tier championship racing in both Motocross and Enduro series, the G.O.A.T. “Greatest Of All Time” motocrosser Ricky Carmichael and 5-Time World Enduro Champion Ivan Cervantes have joined the Triumph team. “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,” claims Carmichael.
This isn’t the English marque’s first foray into the “hard enduro” world. In the late 1960s the British motorcycle industry was unable to support a national ISDT team so Eric Cheney hand built a limited number of ISDT Cheney-Triumphs, using his own design of twin down-tube frame with a specially tuned Triumph 5TA engine. Fitted with tapered conical hubs, special motocross forks and large alloy fuel tanks, a Cheney Triumph was first used in the 1968 British Trophy Team. In 1970 and 1971 three 504cc Cheney Triumphs were used by the British team in the International Six Days Trial (ISDT). Closer to home, generations of desert racers remember Triumph desert sleds dominating in the early days.
“Building something from the ground up is something that really is intriguing to me at this stage of my career,” Carmichael adds. “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… 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. 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.”
Speaking of Dealers showrooms, Rod Lopusnak, General Manager — Triumph North America hints: "More details to come. See you at the races!" Lopusnak and Carmichael have a history of MX success together and they are looking forward to getting the band back together. Stay tuned!