Stunning sixth for Swoll as Triumph Motorcycles make AMA Supercross debut
By Team TMX on 6th Feb 24
News Supercross AMA Supercross
Triumph Motorcycles made their Monster Energy AMA Supercross debut at the opening round of the 250SX East series that was hosted inside Detroit’s Ford Field Stadium. Team athletes Jalek Swoll and Evan Ferry raced the iconic British brand’s TF 250-X with both riders making it to the Main Event – Swoll qualifying directly through his heat race with a ninth place while Ferry did it the hard way by taking an outstanding win in the LCQ.
The very first Supercross event for the all-new Triumph TF 250-X was an all-action affair for Jalek Swoll and Evan Ferry in the Ford Field Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, for round one of the 250SX East series on February 3, 2024. Swoll finished in a superb sixth position, while teammate Ferry was unfortunate to be taken out at the Main Event first turn.
After over a 1,000 hours of track testing from a team of 20 test riders, backed by 45 development engineers working on this project, the moment had come for the Triumph TF 250-X to make its Supercross Main Event debut. On the outside of the pack and separated by another rider on the gate, the Triumph Racing teammates made a great launch. Unfortunately, both riders were the innocent victims of an incident on the inside at turn one that skittled them off their race machines. Ferry took an incredibly hard hit into the barriers and was treated by medics, while Swoll remounted his Triumph TF 250-X full of fight.
Every Triumph team member watching in Detroit and in the factory in Hinckley, UK, held their breath for the next 15 minutes plus one lap as Jalek chased down the field. Lapping consistently and fast on a track that became rough and rutty, the #33 recovered to reach an amazing sixth position at the chequered flag for the British manufacturer.
Evan Ferry was assessed by medics and did not require further medical attention following his incident in the Main Event. The team will monitor his progress as he rests and recovers over the coming days.
“All the work that we’ve put in before this event I think showed tonight,” said Swoll. “The speed was there and – if we’d have got a good start – I felt we could have been on the box. It definitely sucks to come out the first turn in the Main nearly last, but I just got my head down to get back to sixth. Coming into the next rounds I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself, the bike, and the team. Considering this is our first time competing together and my first Supercross race in a year, we’re in a really good spot and I definitely see some podiums this year. I’m pretty stoked with the bike.”
“What a drama-filled event, but the main thing being that Evan is okay,” added Team Principal Bobby Hewitt. All in all, I'm really happy and very “proud of both riders. For Jalek, climbing all that way up from that first turn crash to place sixth was incredible. He’s shown how relaxed and comfortable he is on the bike. Evan was unlucky in the Main today, but just before that he showed that if you're going into a LCQ, the style he did it is the way – pull the holeshot from the outside and lead it all!
“It's a historic moment for Triumph and hopefully we’ve done everyone proud. I’m very happy with the Triumph TF 250-X. The bike performed great – it showed to be competitive off the start and throughout the race. While we know the work we’ve put in behind the scenes, you can never be completely sure until you’re out there with the competition. There are a lot of positives to take from the first round and I know we can continue to improve.”
Summing things up from this side of the Atlantic, Ian Kimber - Head of Off-Road Programmes for Triumph Motorcycles – also made his thoughts known. “It has been a very special day for Triumph and everyone involved in this project. The racing for our first ever Supercross event was exciting and both riders showed the potential that the Triumph TF 250-X can offer. Jalek rode incredibly, fighting back in both the Heat and the Main, and fortunately Evan is ok. We wanted both of our riders in the Main Event as our very first goal, and we achieved that and more. Hopefully this has shown everyone that the bike can deliver, and we can take a lot of positives away from here to build on this momentum.”
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