DIRT NEWS
TRIUMPH TAKES HISTORIC MXGP PODIUM
Triumph Motorcycles has come tearing out of the gate in the opening round of the 2024 MXGP championship . The newest brand to join the MXGP paddock opened its account in a manner that exceeded many expectations , with Monster Energy Triumph Racing ’ s MX2 racer Mikkel Haarup placing a stunning third overall at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina ! Delivering an outstanding performance at the 2024 season-opener , the Dane followed up a fifth in the first-moto with a close runner-up finish in race two to secure his , and Triumph ’ s first , overall podium result in the MX2 World Championship . For team mate Camden McLellan , strong starts and improving moto finishes secured ninth overall with his day highlighted by placing sixth in race two . Heading to the start line for race one confident of a strong showing , Haarup emerged from the first turn with the leading riders . Starting from seventh , Haarup was up
14 KIWI RIDER to fifth within a few laps and stayed with the frontrunners to the very end of the opening moto . Despite his best efforts to find a way through into fourth , the Dane would finish fifth in what was an exceptional debut for the TF 250-X in the MX2 World Championship . Excited to improve upon his race one result , Mikkel started moto two in the best way possible by taking a stunning holeshot , leading for nearly five laps , the 22-year-old slipped to second then found himself locked in a fierce battle for the moto victory . Haarup would cross the finish line as a close runner-up , just under two seconds from the race win , and be rewarded with third overall . “ Yeah , it ’ s been a really amazing start to the season !” exclaimed , Haarup . “ A podium is perfect and a great way to start the year for myself , and Monster Energy Triumph Racing . My qualifying race was not so good , but I knew that I had the speed to run in the top three today . All through the off-season we have been