British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph will become the Moto2 World Championship’s official engine supplier from the 2019 season, taking over from Honda who currently supply CBR600RR engines to the series.
Honda has supplied engines to the Moto2 class since its inception in 2010, but the ceasing of production of its CBR600 meant a new supplier was needed. The tender process to find a new engine manufacturer was opened by the FIM in early 2015.
Rumours of Triumph stepping in as Moto2’s engine supplier first appeared at last year’s British Grand Prix, and failed to disappear at the beginning of 2017. Widely thought as a done deal, Triumph and MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports confirmed the deal at a press conference on Saturday at Mugello.
“We are very excited to be working with one of the world’s most iconic motorcycle brands,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.
“The Triumph triple engines are renowned for their strong, linear power and torque delivery and have achieved many success on the track, making them the ideal choice for the Moto2 Championship.
“We are looking forward to the 2019 season and the beginning of a new generation of Moto2 in partnership with Triumph.”
Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer for Triumph, added: “This is a significant moment for Triumph that brings an excitement new chapter to our 110-year racing history and builds on our celebrated TT and Supersport race-winning triple engines.
“We look forward to a long and thrilling relationship with Dorna and the Moto2 teams, riders and fans.”
Triumph will supply a 765cc three-cylinder engine based on the unit powering its new Street Triple range, and which has been developed from its 675cc Daytona motor used in its Supersport bike. Triumph are aiming for a power output figure of around 133bhp.
The British manufacturer confirmed during the press conference that former Moto2 rider Julian Simon has tested the engine in a Triumph chassis at Aragon, the results of which were encouraging.
They also ruled out the possibility of entering a chassis into the intermediate class in the future, feeling doing so would go against ‘the spirit of the championship’.
