Jonny Walker to race Erzberg on a four-stroke, EnduroGP and SuperEnduro on a 450
Jonny Walker set to race 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on a four-stroke, possibly the EnduroGP of Wales and plans to step up to the new TF 450-E for the 2026 SuperEnduro World Championship.
To say Enduro21 came away from the media launch of the all-new Triumph TF 250-E and TF 450-E Enduro models with a bag full of swag would be an understatement.
The bike test itself was a bit of an eye-opener as to how good a job they’ve made of the new enduro bikes – you can read more about them here: Tested: Triumph TF 250-E & TF 450-E Enduro Models – Everything You Need to Know
As good as the riding were the conversations we had and quality time with both Jonny Walker and Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team Manager, Paul Edmondson which we figured Enduro21 readers would like us to share.
Things are officially TBC, but Jonny Walker is expecting to race this year’s Erzberg on the new 250 and quite possibly an EnduroGP in 2025 followed by a move to the 450 for SuperEnduro next winter.
Jonny is clearly loving life on the Triumph four-stroke’s and in a contest with Tommy Searle and Ivan Cervantes, plus his team manager blowing off a few cobwebs, Jonny was comfortably fastest on an enduro test.
Obviously EnduroGP is a whole different story but Edmondson explained to us the plan is for Jonny to do a few events like that during this year to build his speed. Not that his smooth style needed too much building but the idea is to build on his natural strengths as a rider to challenge Billy Bolt indoors next indoor season.
Speaking of which Jonny was pretty set on the idea of moving up to the 450 Triumph for next SuperEnduro season. Lacking a bit of power to hit the obstacles, and to many eyes having to ride too hard on the 250, Jonny says everyone might be surprised about the idea but the bike is only a few KG more than the 250 and the trade-off is much more oomph.
A second big talking point is JW22 taking a four-stroke to Hard Enduro. Jonny toyed with the idea last year and now the Triumph Enduro models are a reality, he has no excuse.
Up until now Jonny has been riding a motocross model with lights fitted. The TF 250-E enduro bike you see him riding here, and in some of his videos from the media launch, will be the bike he takes away in a van and get set-up for hard enduro.
There’s a strong possibility Jonny will make a debut on the Triumph TF 250-E at the Valleys Hard Enduro in Wales next weekend (May 10-11), though that is not definite at time of writing.
He’s not the first to tackle extreme on a 4T. Naturally the Grandfather of hard Enduro, Mr Jarvis, did it ages ago. Graham had a decent spell on the Husqvarna FE 250 back in the day taking a four banger to The Tough One and even winning Roof of Africa – proving it was possible, albeit in a different ear of the sport.
A few riders have toyed with the idea including Billy Bolt. A combination of a manufacturer wanting to promote specific models for this sport, plus the other guys all riding 300 two-strokes has put this idea to bed so far but it could and should happen.
Photo Credit: Future7Media + Triumph
