Seven-time South African Champion Tristan Purdon has posted on his social media that he is to ride the British Championships again in 2024, and will campaign familiar Austrian machinery in the shape of the Husqvarna FC450 for one of the top teams in the British paddock, SC Sporthomes Husqvarna.
Words: Ben Rumbold, Images: SC Sporthomes Husqvarna
Tristan’s announcement goes as follows:
“Stoked to announce my signing with @sc_sporthomes_husqvarna 🔥
Thanks to everyone that’s making this possible and really looking forward to another year in the UK and some exciting stuff to look forward to in the future 🙏🏼
Time to get the shoulder strong and get through the winter grind this side 💪🏼”
As in 2023, the 26-year-old will focus on the Dirt Store ACU British Championship and other UK-based events. The team has been particularly keen on racing in the AMA Nationals in recent seasons, with Josh Gilbert, Charlie Putnam, Jorgen-Matthias Talviku, and John Adamson racing for them in the USA over the last couple of years, and it looks like a Stateside trip is on again for ’24. Tristan has been racing MXGP in 2023 for his former team Gabriel SS24 KTM, scoring points in Spain and the Netherlands. We spoke to him about his plans for 2024:
DH: Tristan, great to see you land at such a top team for 2024, so what are your main priorities for the new season?
TP: Yeah I’m super stoked to be in the UK for another year! Priority is the British Championship, with finishing 4th this year I am keen to keep grinding and hopefully climb that ladder. Besides the British, the plan is to do as much racing as I can, in the NORA Pro Championship, the Scottish Motocross Championship, as well as 5 or 6 rounds of the AMA as the calendar allows. There are a couple of clashes, but we’ll see how the priorities shift through the year and how the planning pans out.
DH: We understand that you hurt your shoulder in the last Scottish Championship round, what exactly did you do and how is it all coming along now?
TP: I broke my shoulder/ scapula [the shoulder blade itself], and had a severe separation of the joint. I had it repaired and sorted in Belgium, it’s been 5 weeks since the op now and off-bike training has been in full swing, and I’m getting out on the bike this week too!
DH: You raced a lot of the MXGP series last season, is that not on the cards this year coming?
TP: It can be if there is a gap, there is so much racing already, but I would be keen if we could fit some in.
DH: Great to see you on a good bike and team, all the best with your winter preparation and see you out there!
TP: Thanks guys, looking forward to it.
