Following a positive first season in AMA Pro Motocross, Triumph Factory Racing’s Mikkel Haarup will stay in the USA for 2026 and step up to race the TF 450-X in the 450 division. The Danish racer has penned a deal to extend his Triumph contract for two further years, with the intention of returning to the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship in 2027.

During 2023, Mikkel joined Triumph to develop the TF 250-X in readiness for the 2024 FIM MX2 World Championship. His ability to help create a competitive racing machine was immediately underlined at round one of the campaign, where he landed on the overall podium in third. Haarup then stood on the rostrum on multiple occasions throughout the year on his way to finishing fifth in the championship standings.

For 2025, Mikkel based himself at Triumph’s state-of-the-art training facility in Georgia, USA, as a test rider to develop the TF 450-X in readiness for its racing debut in ’26. However, in the lead-up to the 2025 Pro Motocross campaign, Haarup was given the opportunity to get back behind the gate and contest the series in the 250 Class – an experience the racer relished in. The 24-year-old adapted quickly to the new circuits and racing schedule and ended the year a very credible sixth in the championship, despite missing the final two rounds with a collarbone injury.

With both Triumph and Mikkel having an ambition to race the 450 next season, competing in the 2026 Pro Motocross series will provide an opportunity to compete and test the TF 450-X in the USA in readiness for his return to the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2027. Not only will the experience help Haarup prepare for his and Triumph’s official MXGP class debut, but the findings from his testing and development of the bike throughout next season will help refine Triumph’s future production models.

Mikkel Haarup – Triumph Factory Racing

“After two years of racing Triumph’s 250, I’m really excited for the next chapter of my career. Racing a 450 is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and I can’t wait to get this next step started. I’ve been riding the 450 for a little while now and things have been going really well. I’m really thankful to Triumph for this opportunity and for believing in me. I can’t wait to go out and show what the bike is capable of, and for a second year of racing in the AMA Pro Motocross series.”

Jeremy Coker – General Manager, Triumph Racing America
“After Mikkel's breakthrough performance on the 250 last summer, we're ecstatic at the thought of him staying stateside to race our 450 here in the Pro Motocross series. His development and race craft have been phenomenal this season, proving he's ready to take on the premier class, and the prospect of him doing it here is incredibly exciting for all of us. Over the next few months we’ll continue our preparation for his 450 race debut, and with his sole focus being on outdoors, it will be invaluable to our programme overall. We look forward to seeing what he can do on the bigger bike and can’t wait to get into next season.”

Ian Kimber – Head of Global Racing Programmes, Triumph Motorcycles

"We’re really pleased to extend Mikkel’s contract into 2027. The performance that he’s put in this year has been incredible, especially considering he’s moved to a new country and adjusted to a different racing format. It was a big step for Mikkel and it was an opportunity he really grasped with both hands. He’s shown that he can compete against some of the best riders in the world in both MX2 and the 250 Pro Motocross series, and he’s been able to quickly adapt to the different tracks and style of racing we see in the US. With that in mind, and our plans for our 450 programme overall, Mikkel will work on further development of our 450 in the US over the winter ahead of next year’s Pro Motocross season. I’m sure the dedication to his craft that everyone has already seen will make him a contender, and it’ll definitely be exciting for the fans to watch. We’re looking forward to this next step for Triumph and with the TF 450-X.”