Could a Triumph TF 450 race the Dakar Rally in 2026? Maybe, but don’t expect it to be a factory effort.

In a conference call to promote the Australian launch of the Triumph TF 450-E and TF 250-E, one chiefly reported on by Bikesales, Triumph Motorcycles’ enduro and off-road director Scott Lanzi revealed they’ve been approached by various riders about a possible Dakar entry as early as next year. With the 2026 race less than six months away, there is not enough time for Triumph to set up a full-fledged factory program.

“From a core Triumph perspective, we don’t have the in-house capacity to think about a Dakar campaign or a bike, but there are some people involved in the enduro world who have approached us with ideas, concepts, and standing renders, and they want to champion a factory-supported Dakar campaign,” Lanzi explained. “We’re not sure how we can support or structure it, but we’re just starting to have those conversations now. We’ll do something if we can, but I don’t think, in the short term, it will be a factory-led campaign.”

He did not reveal the interested riders other than that one is European and had a hand in developing Triumph’s off-road bikes. If said rider or the others who approached Triumph were to proceed with racing the TF 450, Lanzi expects them to be a privateer at least for 2026.

Lanzi also clarified two-time Dakar winner Sam Sunderland is not part of that group. Sunderland retired from full-time racing last July before joining Triumph as an off-road brand ambassador in February. While his racing nowadays has mainly been as a navigator (as he was for Toby Price at this year’s Dakar), his arrival naturally sparked speculation on if Triumph would pursue a rally program.

The TF 450 enduro line’s 450cc engine complies with FIM regulations, but modifications would obviously have to be made to ensure it is up to rally spec such as the installation of a navigation system and tower.

Triumph is not the only manufacturer reportedly linked to a 2026 Dakar effort, even if it isn’t factory backed. Since January, Kawasaki has been reported to be fielding two KLX450s in the event.

Featured image credit: Triumph Motorcycles