Triumph is still working on its off-road program—honest! Or so they tell us, with news that they’ve signed two development riders for their motocross bikes, in preparation for the 2024 pro racing seasons.
The new riders are Clément Desalle (signed for the FIM’s European MXGP series) and Ivan Tedesco (for the SuperMotocross World championship). Many Canadians will recognize Tedesco’s name from his time in AMA Supercross, when he was particularly hot in the early 2000s (winner of the West Coast 125 series in 2004 and 2005, as well as the national 125 title in 2005). He also has international experience; Tedesco also won the Motocross of Nations in 2005, 2006, and 2009. Since his retirement in 2014, he’s been a riding coach and development rider.
Clément Desalle is a lesser-known entity here in North America, but he had a very successful career in MXGP, as Vice Champion twice as well as three-time finishes at third overall in the championship and a couple of fourth overalls. He won 23 races in MXGP over his career, and the Pro open championship in his homeland of Belgium. He has also worked as a development rider doing testing since 2020, and given his experience on Euro MX circuits.
Former MX start Ricky Carmichael, who’s currently serving as Triumph’s Off-Road Ambassador says this is proof of Triumph’s dedication to its dirt bike development: “I have no doubt, that with guys like Ivan Tedesco and Clément Desalle and the knowledge they bring to the table from an R&D standpoint, that these bikes will be top of the line, from a race bike perspective as well as a production model. These guys know what it takes to win at the highest level and will be a huge asset to the development of a great product!”
But when will we actually see the new bikes? You might have thought we’d have seen them by now, but with the 2024 MX season starting in about nine months, maybe we still won’t see the machines until next fall.
When Bajaj gets finished building them ?