Triumph's Mikkel Haarup Makes Pro Motocross Debut
Triumph Factory Racing launched its 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship campaign at Fox Raceway, laying the groundwork for continued progress across the season. Mikkel Haarup delivered a solid performance in the highly competitive 250MX class, securing 15th overall and marking a promising debut for the Dane on American soil.
Haarup, racing in the United States for the first time in his career, was competitive from the start of qualification and he appeared to be destined for a top 10 in moto one. Unfortunately, whilst fighting for one of those positions, he tipped over and was restricted to 15th at the chequered flag. Hindered by a challenging start in moto two, he pushed forward to 16th at the finish line via some impressive late-race passes that were made possible by his superior conditioning. A 15-16 scorecard secured him 15th overall at round one.
Jordon Smith impressed with a strong charge in moto one that highlighted his raw pace aboard the TF 250-X. Ending lap one in 18th, he pushed to 10th by lap 12, but a small mistake relegated him to 13th at the finish. Smith was unable to build on that in moto two as he tangled in the first corner and started in dead last. Ultimately, he came up just short of points and exited Southern California in 19th overall via a 13-23 scorecard.
For Austin Forkner, Fox Raceway marked his first Pro Motocross event since 2023, yet he immediately removed any rust with a sixth in the first qualification session. A crash on lap one of moto one halted that momentum and left a nasty gash on his leg that required stitches. Desperate to battle on, he started the second moto and charged into the points after an early fall. A minor crash at the end caused him to drop to 22nd and, sadly, left him with no points on the day.
Stilez Robertson withdrew from the race prematurely and will reevaluate his wrist. Updates on his condition will be posted in due course.
Pro Motocross will push north to Hangtown in Sacramento, California, in one week for the second round of the 2025 season.
Mikkel Haarup
"The first round is done. It was not an easy weekend, but I enjoyed it and learnt a lot. I felt rusty, first of all, as it has been a long time since I raced at this level. I had a good start in the first moto but fell back a little bit – the intensity is much higher than I am used to. I had a worse start in moto two and rode stiff but came alive in the last couple of laps. I want to improve on this next weekend."
Jordon Smith
"It was not a great day for me. I did not qualify well – the class is stacked – and I had a poor start in the first moto but pushed really hard to move into the top 10. Unfortunately, I made a small mistake at the end and fell down to 13th. I started dead last in moto two and then crashed, but I am happy to complete the day. My preparation was minimal prior to this and so I learnt a lot. We will come back better next week."
Austin Forkner
"It was not an amazing day. I rode good and was close to the top guys in qualifying. I came together with someone on lap one of the first moto and tipped over on the backside of a roller. The following riders did not see me and I got hit by someone, then a lot of riders hit my bike too. I was sore, I must have got a footpeg into my leg, because I needed stitches from the medic unit between motos. I tipped over before the halfway point in moto two and started riding quite well after that but then crashed again. There were just some racing incidents. I am okay, and I am ready to battle on next weekend."
Stilez Robertson
"It was good to be back at the races, but I am still struggling with my wrist. I thought I was in a better place but the bumps and landings here are a lot different than the practice track. I am going to have to figure this thing out. I am sorry to all of my sponsors and supporters as this is not acceptable and not what I want at all. It has been hard on me and I am really looking forward to putting this wrist saga behind me."
Jeremy Coker – General Manager, Triumph Racing America
"You never really know where you stand until the first race. We now know and we have some work to do. The team and the riders will do our best to improve our weaknesses and keep pushing forward."
250MX Results: 2025 AMA Supercross, Round 01 – Hangtown
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 1-1
2. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 2-2
3. Tom Vialle (KTM) 4-3
4. Chance Hymas (Honda) 3-6
5. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 5-4
15. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 15-16
19. Jordon Smith (Triumph) 13-23
25. Austin Forkner (Triumph) 40-22
250MX Standings: 2025 AMA Supercross, Round 01 – Hangtown
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 50pts
2. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 44pts
3. Tom Vialle (KTM) 38pts
4. Chance Hymas (Honda) 36pts
5. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 35pts
15. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 13pts
19. Jordon Smith (Triumph) 9pts
25. Austin Forkner (Triumph) 0pts
