Ahead of Triumph’s debut in the 2024 MXGP/MX2 and SuperMotocross, the brand has announced two top test riders: Clément Desalle and Ivan Tedesco.
Belgian Clément Desalle will become a test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP/MX2 Team, led by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, while Ivan Tedesco will return as a full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team, led by Bobby Hewitt stands.
Clément Desalle (“MX Panda”) raced at the very highest level in the MXGP World Championship for 15 years. One of the most consistent drivers in the series, he was three times vice world champion, three times third in the championship and two times fourth.
The Belgian won no less than 23 Grand Prix and became Belgian MX1 Champion in 2009. He retired from racing in 2020 to focus on racing bike testing and development – and is already contributing to Triumph’s progress with the new race bike.
“Within Triumph’s MX2 program, I can use my years of experience as a professional racer to further develop the stock bike into a full factory race bike ready for the 2024 MX2 season. Triumph has the best people on board with Thierry and Vincent to achieve great results in the shortest possible time. I am very much looking forward to what the future holds.”
“When Triumph asked us to lead this MX project, we knew that R&D and testing of the bike would be a key factor in its success. Clément has a lot of experience on MXGP circuits and with what is required within this racing discipline and is also still very fast.
“We have worked with Clément over many years and we know that he is a demanding rider who has an eye for every aspect of the bike, so in our view he is the perfect candidate. We know and understand each other very well and he has already contributed a lot to the development of engines, both for production engines and in racing. We are very happy to have him here.”
Ivan Tedesco (‘Hot Sauce’) started racing at the age of eight and turned pro in 1999, with a career spanning 14 years. During his career, Tedesco won the AMA 125cc West Coast Supercross series twice (2004 and 2005), the AMA 125cc National Motocross series once (2005) and the Motocross of Nations three times with Team USA (2005, 2006 and 2009).
After his professional racing career, Ivan started coaching emerging talents from 2014 and became one of the best test drivers of his generation.
“I am thrilled to be part of Triumph’s new racing program and to work with Ricky and Bobby again. I now have the opportunity to work with a new brand in our sport and to start with a new engine and develop it into a race-ready package, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The team Triumph is putting together for SuperMotocross is one of the strongest out there and with the support of Triumph factory engineers I am confident that we will be at the start of Anaheim 1 2024 with a very competitive bike .”
“I have known Ivan for many years as a multiple AMA SX and AMA MX champion who raced at the highest level and was a part of Team USA at the Motocross of Nations several times.
“By including someone with his experience in the program, we are adding another layer of quality and racing experience to the already strong base that was already in place here at Triumph Racing in the US. In 2014, just before he retired, I had the pleasure of having Ivan as a team member and pro rider in one of my previous racing programs. During that period I had the opportunity to work very closely with him as a pilot, to experience his eye for detail as a test driver and, more importantly, to see firsthand how he works and guides up and coming talent.
“Today is a beautiful day and I am very happy that we were able to add “Hot Sauce” to the program. I really think this illustrates very nicely that the future here at Triumph Racing looks very bright!”
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.