Triumph Racing concluded its first year competing in the Monster Energy AMA 250SX East Championship with a ninth place race finish for rider Jalek Swoll in Salt Lake City, Utah. The result was enough to secure seventh overall in the standings and concludes an impressive debut performance season for the all-new Triumph TF 250-X.
The final round of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship saw another 250SX East/West Showdown with both titles going down to the wire. The 250cc class has been ultra-competitive all season and has provided the new Triumph TF 250-X with the toughest arena in which to prove its credentials to the world.
With the team’s aim in the latter part of the season to build the intensity of Jalek’s speed much faster during an event, this direction was evident with him placing eighth and seventh in the two qualifying sessions in Utah. The #33 then progressed further with a fighting fourth in the 250 East Heat Race.
Earning the ninth best gate pick after the East/West combined qualifying, Jalek’s start in the race was typically strong, further demonstrating why the Triumph TF 250-X is fast becoming lauded for its gate-drop performance. Rounding the first lap in seventh, Jalek rode consistently fast throughout the race without getting involved in the intense battle for the two championships happening around him.
Swoll was able to finish ninth and pick up enough points to conclude the season in seventh overall. Although a debut podium fell just out of reach this season across the nine rounds, the Triumph TF 250-X displayed consistent front-running pace, bolstered with a Heat Race win and holeshots. This foundation performance gives the team confidence ahead of the outdoor motocross season beginning later in May.
Jalek Swoll (#33)
“I’ll be honest and say I didn’t ride well at the start of the Main Event as I was in a bit of a weird spot with the championship guys and trying not to get in the way of that. The big picture was to finish the year strong and healthy and we go into the outdoor season feeling 100%. We missed out on some bigger points scoring finishes this season, but it’s been a good first year with the team and the Triumph TF 250-X.”
Bobby Hewitt – Triumph Racing Team Principal (US):
“The final race here went well. Jalek got a good jump out of the gates but rode fairly stiff until those fighting for the championship got by him. It was important to not be ‘that guy’ who influenced the championship outcome, so once we were out of the way of that he loosened up and rode well. Our aim for the supercross season was top five, and we were just nine points away from that. It was Jalek’s best year in the series and we’ve shown the world we’ve got a good bike, a good team and good programme. We now go into the outdoor season leading the way as we’re tied on points with everyone!”
Ian Kimber – Triumph Head of Off-Road Programmes
“What an amazing first season for our Supercross team! They have done an incredible job of showing what the Triumph TF 250-X can do against the world’s best competition. Jalek adapted to the bike very quickly and showed some incredible speed and determination to get us close to a position where we’re fighting for podiums, not to mention so many strong starts out of the gate with a number of holeshots.
“None of this would’ve been possible without our partners who we are grateful to for the support throughout this season, helping us to build a world-class programme. We can now continue the preparation that we’ve started with Joey Savatgy and roll into the outdoor season all guns blazing. I’m excited to see what the team can do this summer.”
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship begins on May 25 at Fox Raceway, California.
Results 250 Supercross East/West Showdown Main Event – Round 9, Salt Lake City
1st Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) – East
2nd RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) – West
3rd Jordon Smith (Yamaha) – West
9th Jalek Swoll (Triumph) – East
250 Supercross East Championship after Round 9 of 9
1st Tom Vialle (KTM) – 172
2nd Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) – 168
3rd Coty Schock (Yamaha) – 132
7th Jalek Swoll (Triumph) – 116
Words and Images by Monster Energy Triumph
