Big news just ahead of the 2026 Supercross season opener as Triumph Factory Racing announced Austin Forkner will make his 450 debut at Anaheim One and race “at least the first six rounds” aboard the TF 450-X. Jordon Smith is still healing from a shoulder injury sustained at the Las Vegas round of SMX Playoffs and will join Forkner in the 450SX division later on in the season. Forkner is also expected to drop back down to the Triumph TF 250X for the 250SX Eastern Regional division at round seven of the series in Arlington, Texas – the same round where Smith is anticipated to return. This marks the first time Forkner or Triumph Factory Racing has competed in the 450SX class.
- Forkner set to make his 450 Supercross debut at Anaheim One
- Triumph’s first time competing in the 450SX division
- Jordon Smith to join the series at round seven in the 450SX class
- Forkner to return to the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship at round seven
- Jalek Swoll also slated to race 250SX East
- Mikkell Haarup to ride 450MX for Triumph alongside Smith this summer
“I’m super excited for the opportunity to race in the 450SX division to start the 2026 season,” Forkner said. “Whether it turns out to be a little bit of a warm-up going into 250SX East, or potentially a full season if we decide to go that way, I think it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited to see where I stack up in the 450 class and I’ve been putting plenty of time in on the bigger bike in recent weeks. It’s been good so far. I think my style fits a 450 pretty well, and I can’t wait to head to A1 for the first round of the series.”
“I’m really excited to be moving up to the 450 class and racing for the Triumph Factory Racing team next year,” Smith said. “I feel like I’ve had my time in the 250 class, and I’ve had a lot of good results, and I think I can transfer that good riding in my move up to the 450. I’m looking forward to working with the team to help develop the bike, and put in some good rides. Unfortunately, the crash I had in practice in Vegas where I dislocated my shoulder resulted in the need to have surgery to repair my rotator cuff and labrum. We’ve been working on the rehab day in, day out and it’s going well, but the return to racing will not be until Arlington. Of course, for me it’s super disappointing not to be out there from the start of the season, especially as this is a momentous occasion for Triumph and the next chapter in my career, but I can’t wait to be back out there and on the TF 450-X.”
“It’s exciting for Triumph to be stepping into 450SX in 2026,” said Jeremy Coker. “We’re especially pleased to be making our step into the category with Jordon and Austin on the TF 450-X. We originally had the plan to go 450 racing with Jordon, and I know he would have been putting in a lot of effort during the off-season to be where he wants to be in the category. Unfortunately, his injury meant that it wasn’t possible to make the start of the season, and all of his focus is now on returning as soon as possible. He will get his chance to race the 450 very soon, and we can’t wait for that, especially with everything we achieved together last season. We still wanted to keep our 450 plans on track, and having seen Austin on the bike for some test days, I am beyond thrilled that he has grabbed the opportunity to race in the 450 class and will start the season in Anaheim. It’s a great opportunity for him and for us. We’ve been working really hard on the development of the factory bike, and while Austin hasn’t had much time to prepare on the bigger bike, we look forward to getting going in the new year, making steps week-by-week, and then having Jordon racing later in the season.”
