JONNY WALKER DELIVERS INCREDIBLE SIXTH-PLACE FINISH FOR TRIUMPH AT 2025 RED BULL ERZBERGRODEO
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 02 June 2025
Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team’s Jonny Walker has delivered an exceptional result at the 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, finishing sixth in the world-renowned hard enduro race. Competing on a near-standard TF 250-E four-stroke, Walker not only proved his own class as one of hard enduro’s most experienced racers but also underlined the capability, durability, and competitiveness of Triumph’s production enduro machine on the toughest terrain in the sport.
Returning to the Iron Giant in Eisenerz, Austria, Walker made his intentions clear from the outset. During Friday and Saturday’s Iron Road Prologue, the Brit impressed with a confident and consistent performance, placing seventh and comfortably securing a spot on the front row for Sunday’s main event.
In the Hare Scramble, with 500 riders setting off to tackle the 35-kilometre course and only 14 reaching the finish within the four-hour time limit, Walker got off to a strong start. Making rapid progress in the early stages, he climbed into third position before settling into fourth for the majority of the race. As the brutal climbs and relentless terrain took their toll in the final hour, Jonny slipped back to sixth, maintaining that position to the chequered flag and securing a standout finish for both rider and team.
Walker’s sixth-place finish was all the more impressive given the bike beneath him. Running a stock-engine TF 250-E with just a few added race parts, namely chassis upgrades such as Xtrig triple clamps, Renthal bars, and Haan wheels, he took on factory-backed two-strokes and ran up front for much of the race. The TF 250-E was the only four-stroke to finish the race. In their hard enduro debut, Jonny and Triumph proved that the bike can handle the world’s toughest terrain, straight from the showroom floor.
Jonny Walker said: “What an amazing race! The bike was absolutely brilliant and didn’t miss a beat. Considering I’ve only had it for two weeks and took it straight from the launch, it’s been faultless.
“The only thing I would have changed is my mousse – not knowing what to expect, I think I had it a little too hard and that put us at a bit of a disadvantage later on in the trees where you really need the traction, especially after the rain. Honestly, this feels like a win. To come here, to the toughest extreme enduro, and finish inside the top six on a four-stroke with the minimum of upgrades, I’m over the moon. It really shows what the Triumph TF 250-E can do.”
Paul Edmondson – Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team Manager commented: “As a former rider and competitor at the Erzbergrodeo, I’ve always had a real respect for what it takes to conquer the Iron Giant. That’s why I’m genuinely impressed and happy for Jonny and the new bike for achieving such a strong finish in this incredibly demanding event. The TF 250-E, a completely production-based bike, delivered an excellent performance over two days in the prologue and now finishes with a very credible result. I’m truly happy for everyone involved in the team, and of course, grateful to all our partners.”
Ian Kimber – Head of Global Racing Programmes, Triumph Motorcycles added: “What Jonny accomplished today is nothing short of remarkable. To take a bike fresh from our production launch event, add components from our racing partners, and finish the toughest enduro race in the world in sixth place, having battled for a potential podium for much of the race, is truly incredible. Seeing our brand-new production four-stroke bike compete in a field dominated by two-stroke machines shows exactly what it’s capable of and what our customers will be able to buy and race themselves. We learned a lot from today’s race. It was great to see Jonny finish with a big smile on his face. He was so determined to compete this year on the Triumph and to deliver a strong result. I can’t wait to see him back out there again!”
Provisional Results – 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 2:49:17.580
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 3:01:57.565
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 3:13:44.942
4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 3:13:46.895
5. Trystan Hart (KTM) 3:18:32.642
6. Jonny Walker (Triumph) 3:26:53.833
TF 250-E IN DEALERSHIPS
The TF 250-E, with its optimum blend of unparalleled low-speed agility and confidence-inspiring high-speed stability, excels in competitive racing and out on the trails, and is now in stock in Triumph’s network of Motocross and Enduro Dealerships including Bayride Motorcycles Tauranga New Zealand
Developed entirely by Triumph in close collaboration with five-time World Champion Iván Cervantes and four-time World Enduro Champion Paul Edmondson, the TF 250-E and TF 450-E have a unique, lightweight aluminium chassis, engineered for agility and strength. The new spine frame design provides exceptional handling and stability across all terrains. Equipped with premium brand components, both models feature the latest offroad technology, together with a rider-focused ergonomics package and race-inspired styling. Sleek bodywork, Triumph Performance Yellow graphics, and integrated LED lighting gives each bike a bold, aggressive look that stands out on the start line.
Building on Triumph’s reputation for excellent quality and reliability, the TF 250-E and TF 450-E have world-class support, backed by a global network of specialist dealers and a 24/7 parts ordering and supply system.
For more information visit BAYRIDE or online at the Triumph website.
· First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles has a glorious racing history, competing in and winning races in almost every class and field of motorcycle sporting achievement. From winning the second ever Isle of Man TT in 1908, through to 1960s road and track domination in Europe and America, right up to contemporary racing achievements with the Triumph triple powered 2014 and 2015 SuperSport titles and World SuperSport racing, Isle of Man SuperSport TT wins in 2014 and 2019, courtesy of Gary Johnson and Peter Hickman, plus an average speed of over 130mph 2023 by Peter Hickman on his Triumph STR765, and a thrilling last-lap victory at the legendary Daytona 200 by Brandon Paasch on the Street Triple 765 in 2022.
· Triumph’s racing legend continues as the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2™ World Championship since the start of the 2019 season. Triumph Motorcycles provides all the teams with race-tuned 765cc triples, each of which is based on the class-leading Street Triple RS powerplant. Redefining the class, Triumph broke record after record in the inaugural year, including the first ever +300km/h Moto2™ top speed. Reflecting these great successes, the wonderful feedback, and partnerships that Triumph have had with the riders and their teams, and the incredible response from Triumph fans across the world, Triumph and Dorna decided to extend the relationship in 2021 and again in 2023, signing a new contract for another five years of racing: 2025 – 2029.
· In 2021 Triumph announced its forthcoming entry into the Motocross and Enduro worlds with the single-minded ambition and commitment to develop a championship winning team.
· In 2023, Triumph announced its intention to compete in the 2024 MXGP/MX2 and SuperMotocross World Championships and confirmed the appointment of two top class riders to lead its race development testing. Clément Desalle joined as test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP/MX2 Team, run by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, and Ivan Tedesco joined as full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team.
· In September 2023, Triumph’s new 250cc motocross bike was revealed in public for the first time, at the SuperMotocross World Championship Final at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California.
· In October 2023, Monster Energy was unveiled as the title sponsor of the MX2 team, named ‘Monster Energy Triumph Racing’ and the race bike was unveiled at the Motocross of Nations. In November the riders Mikkel Haarup and Camden McLellan were announced.
· In January 2024, the Triumph Racing SuperMotocross team line-up was announced with Jalek Swoll and Evan Ferry racing the 250SX East Supercross series, while Joey Savatgy joins them for the Pro Motocross series later in the year.
· In February 2024, Triumph Racing competed at its first ever Supercross event in Detroit in the 250SX East category with its new Triumph TF 250-X, while the Monster Energy Triumph Racing competed in Spain as a pre-season warm-up for the MX2 World Championship, followed by a further pre-season race in France.
· On March 10 2024 Triumph lined up for its first ever FIM Motocross World Championship event with the Monster Energy Triumph Racing Team in Patagonia, Argentina. Mikkel Haarup made history by taking a podium third for Triumph’s inaugural outing with the TF 250-X, scoring 5-2 results across the two motos including a holeshot award for an incredible start in the second race. His teammate Camden McLellan went 11-6 for an impressive ninth overall.
· Jalek Swoll took Triumph’s first Heat Race win with the TF 250-X in Philadelphia at Round Eight of the 2024 AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship on April 27. The Triumph racer went on to demonstrate the bike’s strong capabilities, battling for the podium the majority of the Main Event, although he ultimately crashed out while making the pass for second position in the closing stages of the moto.
· 25th May 2024 the Triumph Racing team lined-up for the AMA Pro Nationals for the very first time with riders Joey Savatgy and Jalek Swoll.
· 16th September 2024 Triumph announces Jonny Walker as its first signing to its Enduro programme. Walker will race in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, as well as select EnduroGP and Hard Enduro events.
· 13th October 2024 Triumph Racing won the National Sportbike Championship with PTR Triumph Racing’s Richard Cooper and the Triumph Daytona 660. Luke Stapleford took runner-up in the British Supersport Championship for Macadam Triumph Racing aboard the Triumph Street Triple 765-based machine.
· The Monster Energy Triumph Racing Team of Mikkel Haarup and Camden McLellan concluded the 2024 season with fifth and ninth overall in the MX2 World Championship standings. Both riders concluded the season with podium finishes and Triumph was proud to have raced at the sharp end of the competition all season.
· In early October 2024, Jonny Walker delivered a spectacular performance at the Enduro of Champions event in Newcastle by taking a win for the Triumph Factory Racing Enduro team aboard the TF 250. At the end of October 2024 Walker took a win at round four of the Endurocross Championship in America. Walker competed in the first four events, achieved a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 1st before heading back to Europe.
· Jalek Swoll took Triumph Racing’s first AMA ProMotocross podium in August 2024 with third overall at round nine of the series at the iconic Unadilla track in New Berlin, New York. Swoll concluded the British manufacturer’s debut season in seventh, Savatgy was 12th.
· In December 2024 Jonny Walker took Triumph’s first FIM SuperEnduro World Championship podium in Gliwice, Poland with third place, a feat he repeated at the second round in Riesa, Germany on the 4th January. Walker went on to finish the series in an impressive second position.
· For 2025 Triumph Racing lines up for SuperMotocross with a four-rider team. Jalek Swoll, Austin Forkner, Jordon Smith, Stilez Robertson will race for the British manufacturer, who will compete on both coasts of Supercross and the full Pro Motocross series with the TF 250-X. In the FIM MX2 World Championship Camden McLellan will compete for a second year aboard Triumph machinery, while Guillem Farres joins the team. Mikkel Haarup remains as a test rider (due to age restrictions in the MX2 category).
· On Saturday 11th January 2025 Jordon Smith took Triumph’s very first AMA Supercross podium at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim (250SX West Championship), after only 10 Supercross races for the British manufacturer.
· On Saturday 1st February 2025 Jordon Smith took Triumph’s first AMA Supercross victory in Glendale Arizona at the fourth round of the 250SX West Championship. It was a Triple Crown three-race format, Jordon took a 2-3-1 score to clinch the overall victory, a historic night for the British manufacturer.
· In April 2025 Triumph Factory Racing launched its first FIM EnduroGP World Championship team with multi-time World Champion Paul Edmondson heading up the team of Jamie McCanney and Mikael Persson. Triumph entered its first EnduroGP event in Fafe, Portugal on a weekend where the TF 250-E production model was revealed to the public for the first time. Persson took a double podium for the British manufacturer at its EnduroGP debut.
· On June 1st 2025 Triumph Factory Racing made its hard enduro debut at arguably the toughest event at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Eisenerz, Austria, with Jonny Walker. Amongst a two-stroke dominated entry, Walker went on to finish the race in an impressive sixth position aboard an almost-stock and recently launched TF 250-E four-stroke enduro bike.