Triumph will continue to compete in the World Supersport Championship in 2009, but will switch their official backing from Team SC to BE1 Racing.
The legendary marque made a return to international competition this season with the
Daytona 675, but while the bike went on to dominate the British series, it failed to reach the podium on the world stage.
Even so, it was the customer BE1 team that got the best from the bike, with Mark Aitchison finishing the season as their best representative in 14th overall.
As such, the Italian outfit will assume factory duties in 2009 with the experienced rider line-up of Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli. It is an opportunity that delights team manager Giuliano Rovelli.
“It's a great honour for me to become the focal point for Triumph in World Supersport,” he said. “Garry and Gianluca are two of the most experienced riders in the category and they will help us to develop the bike so we can make further steps forwards towards our aim of being constantly in the top 10 in 2009 and then fight for the title in the following season.”
Having been sidelined for much of the year following a crash at Brno, ex-
MotoGP rider McCoy is thrilled to be following Triumph in moving from Team SC to BE1 Racing.
"I raced the Daytona 675 last season and I'm really pleased to be able to continue the job with Triumph. I did the final round of the 2008 season with BE1 Racing after recovering from the injury that had kept me out of action for three months. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the entire team, and this is one of the reasons that makes me confident for the 2009 season.”
Nannelli, meanwhile, comes to the team having raced with Althea Honda in 2008, the Italian finishing in tenth position overall with a best result of fifth place in Spain. He is excited to be representing the Triumph brand.
"I was impressed with the characteristics of the standard 675 bike. It's got a good chassis and a powerful engine. I can't wait to get onto the racing version, and hopefully I can get some good results that will make my fans and all Triumph supporters happy.”
