Triumph won't defend TT title.

Following the news that Triumph ValMoto have scaled down their British Supersport effort to a one man outfit, the team has now announced that it will not be competing in the 2004 Isle of Man TT races either.

Last year's victory by Bruce Anstey in the Junior TT was the highlight of the Leicestershire manufacturer's season, and winning the coveted manufacturer's award cemented a remarkable achievement.

However, Triumph claim that they now need to devote all available resources to the 2004 British championship - despite dropping Jim Moodie - and so won't defend their crown.

"Last year's TT win was one of the crowning achievements of my career," said team manager Jack Valentine. "And the urge to go back and do it again was very strong.

"However, the aim of Triumph's racing programme is to make an impact in the domestic series, and now that the initial development work is out of the way we have an excellent chance of challenging for the championship.

"It's well known that I'm a real public roads racing enthusiast and I hold the TT close to my heart, but the 2004 British Supersport Championship is shaping up to be even more demanding than last year. Our first championship podium at the end of last season was just a taste of things to come and the Triumph ValMoto Daytona 600 has come on leaps and bounds since then.

"Now, with arguably the country's most exciting young prospect Craig Jones signed for another season, I'm certain that ValMoto can put a Triumph among the frontrunners on a regular basis," Valentine concluded.