Cycle News Staff | September 5, 2024
News broke this morning that Triumph Factory Racing and Joey Savatgy have parted ways just days before the first round of the SuperMotocross Playoffs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Savatgy was under a two year contract with the new Triumph outfit and qualified directly into the SMX Playoffs with a 17th seeding. However, he is ineligible to race the 250SX class in 2025 due to pointing out back in 2018. The “point out” rule states that a rider has met or exceeded the points threshold for four or more seasons
Savatgy and the Triumph Factory Racing Team have parted ways just before the first rounds of SMX Playoffs.
“Firstly, I would like to thank Triumph Racing for giving me the opportunity to race for the team this year,” said Savatgy. “We were all hoping the AMA rule would be amended to allow me to race 250SX next year, but unfortunately, this didn’t happen. Triumph knows how hard it was for me to sit out half the season this year, and they were nice enough to give me the option to be released early in order for me to race a full season next year. Thanks again to the whole team and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Savatgy scored three fifth place finishes this summer.
The number-17 debuted on the new TF-250X back in may for the start of the Pro Motocross Championship and finished 12th in the 250MX points. His best moto results were highlighted by fifths at Fox Raceway, Southwick, and Budds Creek.
Savatgy was set to ride for the team again in 2025 but is ineligible to race the 250SX class.
“It’s been a real pleasure working with Joey, and it’s unfortunate that he won’t be competing in this year’s SMX Playoffs with Triumph Racing,” said Team Manager Bobby Hewitt. “While we’ve been waiting for the AMA and the Steering Committee to confirm their decision regarding Joey’s eligibility to compete in 250SX, we allowed him to actively seek other opportunities in the 450 class, just in case this wasn’t an option. In the end, it was decided that he could not return to 250SX. We were, however, more than happy to honour Joey’s two-year contract by having him race for us next summer in the 250 class of Pro Motocross, but ultimately, it was decided that the best resolution was for us to part ways. On behalf of Triumph Racing, I wish Joey all the best for 2025 and thank him for everything he’s done for the team since he joined us last winter.”
The Triumph team will run just one rider (Swoll) at the SMX playoffs.
The following is a press release from Triumph:
A mutual decision between Triumph Racing and Joey Savatgy sees the American racer move on to new opportunities ahead of the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship. Since Joey pointed-out of the 250SX class in 2018, he has been ineligible to race in the 250SX category, despite petitions for the AMA Supercross rules to match the Pro Motocross rules. As a result, it was agreed that the best option for Savatgy’s career was for him to pursue other opportunities.
Following Triumph’s successful first season in the 250 classes in MXGP, AMA Supercross, and Pro Motocross, the decision was made to concentrate efforts in 2025 on expanding and improving the 250 programme, before moving into the premier classes in 2026. Since signing Joey on a two-year deal, Triumph has been campaigning with Feld and the AMA to have the Georgia native’s 250SX class eligibility restored. Despite the significant efforts made, it was recently confirmed that Savatgy would still not be able to line up in 250SX in 2025, as the current rules would remain unchanged.
To honour the initial contract made by Triumph Racing, Joey was offered the chance to compete in 250MX only for 2025; however, it was ultimately decided by both parties that the best resolution was for Savatgy to move on with his career at another team.
Competing in Pro Motocross throughout the summer of 2024, Joey enjoyed many highlights in the 250MX class, with his best overall finish of sixth coming at the Southwick National in June. Despite a heavy fall in moto one at the Red Bud National and missing both races one week later, Joey went on to finish the season 12th in the final standings.
Everyone at Triumph wishes Joey well for the future, and thanks him for his contributions to our 2024 race program.
“Joey’s tenure with Triumph has shown moments of great promise, and whilst we haven’t been able to fully capitalize on them, it is a shame to lose his experience from our team,” said Ian Kimber, Head of Global Racing Programs. “However, with our decision to prioritize our 250 program in 2025 and Joey’s ineligibility to ride 250SX due to the current rules, we have mutually agreed to let Joey out of his contract to ensure that his career isn’t detrimentally affected by only having him race 250MX again next year. I want to thank Joey for the hard work he has shown throughout the outdoor season this year and I wish him well for the future.”
