Triumph Tigers Dominate Inaugural AFT AdventureTrackers Race at Sturgis TT

In a historic debut for the AFT AdventureTrackers class, Triumph Motorcycles made a resounding statement at the Sturgis TT, the final event of the annual Sturgis Rally. On August 11, 2024, downtown Sturgis, South Dakota’s streets transformed into a thrilling race course where Sammy Halbert and Iván Cervantes secured a 1-2 finish on their Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro motorcycles.

The Sturgis TT, part of Round 13 of the Progressive American Flat Track Championship season, marked the first-ever race for the new AdventureTrackers class. This race showcased the versatility and ruggedness of adventure motorcycles in a competitive setting, blending road and dirt elements into a challenging TT course. Triumph’s Tiger 1200 GT Pro and Rally Pro motorcycles, in near-stock condition, demonstrated their remarkable capability as they tackled the demanding course.

Sammy Halbert Takes the Win

Leading the charge was Sammy Halbert, affectionately known as “Slammin’ Sammy” in the racing community. Halbert, riding the #69 Tiger 1200 GT Pro, delivered a masterclass in consistency and speed. After setting the fastest lap time of the day at 0:28.679, Halbert secured the coveted inside position on the front row for the race start. A flawless holeshot propelled him into the lead from the first lap, a position he fiercely defended throughout the race.

“I’m stoked to take the win in the first-ever Sturgis TT AFT AdventureTrackers race,” Halbert said post-race. “The Triumph Tiger 1200 was surprisingly easy to ride – especially in the dirt sections. No matter how hard I pushed it, the bike handled flawlessly. I’m proud to bring home this victory for the team at Triumph.”

Iván Cervantes Secures Second Place

Behind Halbert was Iván Cervantes, a five-time World Enduro Champion, riding the #25 Tiger 1200 GT Pro. Cervantes, known for his off-road prowess, adapted quickly to the unique TT course. Despite a challenging start, he managed to secure second place by leveraging his skills in the dirt sections of the track.

Cervantes shared his thoughts on the race: “I was trying my best to learn the track and the bike during the practice sessions and worked to improve each lap while learning the other riders. All the racers seemed very fast on the asphalt, and I believed my best option was to take advantage of the dirt section. After a bad start, I made a quick pass on turn two and held on to the end of the race. I want to thank Triumph and the amazing team for their confidence in me and invitation to participate in the AFT AdventureTrackers Race.”

Triumph’s Triumph

The success of Halbert and Cervantes underscores the competitive potential of the Triumph Tiger 1200 in the AdventureTrackers class. Adam VanderVeen, Marketing Director at Triumph Motorcycles America, expressed his excitement: “Sammy and Ivan’s results on the track are a true reflection of their talent. The AFT AdventureTrackers race has proven to be a fantastic platform to showcase the capability and versatility of modern adventure bikes. Seeing Sammy and Iván on the podium is a proud moment for Triumph, and it validates the performance and potential of our Tiger 1200 motorcycles.”

The event was a significant milestone for Triumph Motorcycles, proving that their adventure bikes are built for exploration and racing. Fans can relive the action with a replay available on FloRacing or catch the broadcast on FOX and FS1 on August 17.

Final Results:

1st Place: Sammy Halbert – Triumph 2nd Place: Iván “TORITO” Cervantes – Triumph 3rd Place: Danny Eslick – Harley-Davidson 4th Place: Rob McLendon – Triumph 5th Place: Kole King – Triumph 6th Place: Frankie Garcia – Harley-Davidson 7th Place: Dan Bromley – Honda 8th Place: Ernie Vigil – Triumph 9th Place: Nick “Apex” Brocha – Triumph

This race marked the beginning of a new class and set the stage for future adventures, with Triumph firmly in the lead.