First Picture: Triumph announces racing return.

Triumph, Britain's only remaining major motorcycle manufacturer, has announced its return to competition after an absence of 30 years.

The Leicestershire based company has joined forces with respected racing specialists ValMoto, to race a Daytona 600 [pictured] in this year's British Supersport Championship.

"Triumph has always felt that racing would form part of its long-term marketing strategy," said Ross Clifford, Triumph's Commercial and Racing Manager, while speaking at the Silverstone team launch.

"However it was important for us to first establish a strong manufacturing and distribution base. As the development of the Daytona 600 progressed it became clear that we had a British designed and manufactured bike that - with the help of one of the most successful and experienced teams in British racing - was capable of taking on the best in the world and winning.

"This return to competition is a monumental event for Triumph," continued Clifford, "and we are looking forward immensely to developing a world-class race bike as an extension of our on-going sportsbike programme."

For Triumph ValMoto Team Manager Jack Valentine, the Daytona 600 represents a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of a new quality machine for a major manufacturer.

"I'd heard rumours that Triumph were planning to produce a 600 supersport machine," explained Valentine. "I knew that with the resources they now have at their disposal it was going to be a exciting project and presumed that they would be entering into competition, so I offered the services of ValMoto.

"It was apparent from the first meeting that Triumph was deadly serious about the project and that the bike was more than up to the task," added Valentine. "We entered into a partnership with the ultimate aim of winning the world championship with a British bike."

In riders Jim Moodie and Craig Jones Triumph ValMoto has two different but equally exceptional riders.

Moodie - a double British Supersport Champion and winner of eight Isle of Man TTs - is renowned for his considerable skill as a development rider as well as a fearless, hard-charging riding style.

Jones meanwhile, is the reigning National Junior Superstock Champion and at just 18-years-of-age is a rider of undoubted talent and maturity, dedicated to learning his craft.

Both riders will soon be putting the Triumph ValMoto Daytona 600s through their paces when the team commences its testing programme in preparation for the first race of the season at Silverstone on 30 March.