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Danish talent Mikkel Haarup will contest the entire 2025 Pro Motocross Championship in the 250 Class with Triumph Factory Racing, the MX2 World Championship number five adding the series to his current testing role.

After finishing fifth in the 250 category of the MXGP last year, 23-year-old Haarup aged out of the class and has instead been developing the new TF 450-RC for its grand prix entry in 2026.

Already based in the United States and with Jalek Swoll sidelined through injury until later in the year, Haarup will race the TF 250-X in 250MX this summer.

“First of all, I’m super-excited for this opportunity,” commented Haarup. “It’s always been a dream of mine to race in the US, and to be able to do it with a team that I trust and on a bike that I love to ride is just perfect.

“Of course, it means I am stepping away from my development role for now, but it continues in safe hands with Clement Desalle and Ivan Tedesco continuing the work. My expectations for the season are hard to say.

“It’s a new racing format for me and there are different rules with the bikes, but overall, the initial goal is to improve round by round. From there, the goals may change after a few races. Round one is not far away now and I can’t wait to get started.”

Triumph Racing America general manager Jeremy Coker added: “The addition of Mikkel to our team for Pro Motocross is really exciting – not only for us, but for the series – as it’ll have another rider from MXGP on the start line.

“Mikkel has been with us for a few months now and he’s been great to work with, and testing has been going really well. When the outdoor season starts, I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do, and it should be a great summer of racing.”

Haarup joined Triumph for its inaugural season in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship last year, giving the British manufacturer a number of top five results and a historic first GP podium at the opening round of the series. He concluded the season fifth in the standings.

Before the Pro Motocross tour begins, the Dane will compete in lower-profile events to fully prepare himself aboard the TF 250-X in a racing environment, having last ridden competitively at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) back in October. Haarup’s first outing with the team will be a Loretta Lynn’s qualifier event in South Carolina this weekend.

“Having Mikkel based in the US for his 450 development role has put us in a unique position,” explained Ian Kimber, head of global racing programmes, Triumph Motorcycles. “We’ve been able to utilize his skills and experience to the benefit of our American racing programme, as well as continuing to develop our 450 machine.

“The 2025 AMA Supercross season has been tough, and heading into Pro Motocross, we won’t have our full line-up of riders competing until later in the season. With that in mind, we’ve drafted Mikkel into the Triumph Factory Racing team for the Pro Motocross series in the 250 Class, which has a lot of benefits for all involved.

“We’ve been able to take our time, get him used to the US-spec bike, and develop his set-up, so he’ll be fully prepared going into the season. Keeping him race-sharp is important, and he also brings a closer connection between our US and MXGP racing programmes.

“I’m super-excited to see how Mikkel progresses this summer, and I know first-hand that his input will be invaluable for the team. The experience will be great for him, and we’re all looking forward to seeing him on the start gate later this year.”