Kiwi Rider May Vol.2 2023 | Page 17

DIRT NEWS

TRIUMPH CONFIRMS TOP TIER TEST RIDERS

As preparations for Triumph ’ s debut in the 2024 MXGP / MX2 and SuperMotocross World Championships intensify , Triumph Racing confirms it has signed two top-class riders to lead its race development testing . Clément Desalle joins as a test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP / MX2 Team , run by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni , and Ivan Tedesco comes aboard as a full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team , led by Bobby Hewitt . Clément Desalle competed at the highest level in the MXGP World Championship for 15 years . One of the most consistent racers in the series , he claimed three World Championship second place finishes , was third placed three times and twice finished fourth . The Belgium national finished on the top step of the podium 23 times in his career , as well as being crowned the Pro Open Belgian champion in 2009 . He retired from racing in 2020 and turned his attention to test riding and developing race bikes – and is already making a major contribution to Triumph ’ s progress with its new race bike . “ Joining the Triumph MX2 programme allows me to make use of my years of experience as a professional racer to help take the stock bike to a full factory race bike , ready for the MX2 season in 2024 ,” says Desalle . “ When Triumph asked us to join this MX project , we knew that the bike R & D and testing was going to be major part of the success ”, explains Triumph Racing MXGP Team Manager , Vincent Bereni . “ Clément has a lot of experience with MXGP tracks , the requirements for the race disciplines and is still very fast . “ We have worked with Clément for many years and he is a very demanding rider , who pays attention to every aspect of the motorcycle , so in our opinion he is the perfect candidate . We know and understand each other very well and he has already brought a lot to bike development , for both the production and racing application . We are very pleased that he joined the programme .” Ivan Tedesco ( AKA ‘ Hot Sauce ’) began racing motorcycles at the age of eight years old and turned Pro in 1999 , with a career that spanned 14 years . In his racing career , Tedesco won the AMA 125cc West Coast Supercross series twice ( 2004 and 2005 ), the AMA 125cc National Motocross series ( 2005 ) and the Motocross of Nations three times with Team USA ( 2005 , 2006 and 2009 ). After his retirement in 2014 , Ivan coached upand-coming racers and became one of the best manufacturer development test riders of the current era . “ I ’ m super excited to be part of the new Triumph racing programme and to be working with Ricky and Bobby again ”, Tedesco says . “ To have the opportunity to work with a new brand in our sport , to take a new bike and develop it to a race-ready package , is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity . “ The team that Triumph is assembling to compete in the SuperMotocross championship is second to none , and together with the support of the engineers at the Triumph Factory , I ’ m confident we will line up with a competitive bike for Anaheim 1 2024 .” “ I ’ ve known Ivan for many years now , as a multitime AMA SX Champion and AMA MX Champion who has raced at the highest level including being a member of Team USA multiple times at the Motocross of Nations ”, says Triumph Racing SMX Team Principal , Bobby Hewitt .. “ Adding someone with his experience to the programme adds another layer of quality and racing experience to an already strong foundation at Triumph Racing here in the US . In 2014 I had the privilege to have Ivan as a team member and pro-rider on one of my previous racing programmes before he retired . “ Today is a great day and I ’ m very excited to add “ Hot Sauce ” to the programme . I truly believe this is another example that the future here at Triumph Racing is very bright !”

KIWI RIDER 17