Triumph Racing Stories: SMX Racers Benefit from Innovative Tech-Air Technology
Alpinestars shares Triumph's passion for evolution and the titans have made off-road history in their partnership; TF 250-X riders Austin Forkner and Jordon Smith now compete with enhanced safety thanks to Alpinestars' Tech-Air® MX airbag system. The Triumph Factory Racing athletes, competing in the 31-race SuperMotocross World Championship (United States), were the first to lean into the advancement.
This revolutionary piece of equipment is an evolution of the Tech-Air® system already celebrated in the MotoGP™ World Championship. Though it debuted in off-road at the Dakar Rally in 2019, Alpinestars has been collecting motocross-specific data since 2016. Sensors have been attached to motocross riders in order to better understand their movements. There are more intricate maneuvers in off-road than other forms of competition, of course, and so it is imperative that the system is not activated in one of those subtle gestures.
The final product, one that can pinpoint the line between a whip and a fall, is fuelled by a rather intelligent crash monitoring algorithm that is capable of analysing rider data up to 1,000 times per second. It is a striking testament to how fast-paced and physical the sport is that so much data must be consumed. Following activation, the chest protector automatically deflates through a mechanism built into the inflator cap and resets itself in case of another fall that requires deployment.
"There has not been an evolution in protection for some time. I wondered what would be next, and I found it in the Tech-Air® MX," Forkner reflected on his introduction to the system. "My initial reaction was that I wished I'd had this sooner. I've had some vicious crashes, so I'm much more aware of - and invested in - rider safety. I can be an advocate for that, thanks to my injury history, and the effectiveness of this system would benefit everyone.
"It is really comfortable," he continued. "The material that it is made from is more comfortable than any other piece of protection I have worn and that stood out immediately. There is no trade-off, besides it being a little heavier, but that's barely noticeable when I am riding the TF 250-X. The benefits to your back are obvious, and I believe it could even protect your labrum and collarbones. You are going to crash on a motocross bike, it's just a matter of how hard. This will help in whatever scenario."
Forkner's injury list across the past seven seasons reads like a checklist of motocross' worst-case scenarios: ACL tears, severe abdominal trauma, broken collarbones, fractured vertebrae, a torn labrum and broken scapula are some of the hurdles that he has been able to overcome in his pursuit of additional glory. Now, in a new chapter with Triumph Factory Racing and the Tech-Air® MX, he completed an AMA Supercross term for the first time in his career.
The confidence that this revolutionary equipment has prompted can be credited for the improved tenacity. "Any kind of protective gear that makes you feel more comfortable and confident on the bike is a huge benefit for us as racers," Forkner confirmed. "I have experienced some pretty heavy crashes and injuries throughout my career, so to now have the Tech-Air® MX system offering an all-new level of safety and protection is a massive boost for my confidence whenever I am sat on the start gate in front of 60,000 spectators."
The partnership between Alpinestars and Triumph Factory Racing extends further than just the Tech-Air® MX; the manufacturer's athletes in the SMX World Championship and FIM Motocross World Championship compete in Alpinestars helmets and boots. As Triumph continues to assert itself in the competitive world of off-road racing, its partnership with Alpinestars underscores a shared commitment to progress not just in performance, but in protection.
