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Mikkel Haarup is staying in the U.S.
Triumph Factory Racing announced today that the Denmark native will remain in Pro Motocross for 2026 and move up to the premier 450 Class with the team, aboard the TF 450-X. Per the team, Haarup has the intention of returning to the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship in 2027.
“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,” the press release stated. “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.”
Haarup joined Triumph for its inaugural season in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship in 2024, giving the British manufacturer a number of top five results and a historic first Grand Prix podium at the opening round of the series. He finished the series fifth overall that year but would have to move to MXGP in 2025 due to the age-rule in MXGP and Triumph was not ready for a full-time 450 Class season.
So, Haarup came over to the U.S. and competed in the 250 Class and had a strong rookie Pro Motocross season in which he collected two top five overall finishes and finished sixth in points despite suffering a broken collarbone at Unadilla and scoring zero points over the final four motos of the year.
“After two years of racing Triumph’s 250, I’m really excited for the next chapter of my career,” said Haarup. “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.”
Triumph has yet to announce its full 2026 roster, but it is expected Jordon Smith will move to the 450 Class for Supercross, Pro Motocross and the SMX Playoffs with the team.
