“If you look up cool in the dictionary a f***ing picture of Triumph comes up…”

When Triumph Ambassador and former WSB star Carl Fogarty rocks up to present a new bike at Intermot, MCN has got to have a word.

Carl Fogarty introduced the new Triumph Street Cup at the international show by riding it up on stage.

“The Street Cup is a blinged up version of the Street Twin, it’s a cool little thing. If you look up cool or iconic in the dictionary I’m sure it’ll show a f***ing picture of Triumph,” said the I’m A Celeb winner when MCN caught up with him. “Everything they do is so cool and it’s a nice addition to the family. I like the look of it, it’s a cross between the café racer and retro feel. The positioning of the Street Cup is just great, it’s so comfortable and a fun position to be in for whatever country roads or anything that you want to be on.”

Despite a history with Ducati, Carl’s relationship with the British manufacturer is a recent marriage and only started at the end of last year.

“I’ve been a fan of the brand and image for quite a long time so I think they were a little bit surprised when I said I’d be happy to take part from the start,” he said. “When I turned up at Triumph to ride the Thruxton R, no one kind of said anything. I think Triumph thought ‘no one’s bothered that he’s a Ducati guy’. So when Triumph said ‘can you be with us’ I said ‘oh my god, I’d absolutely love to’. I’m so proud to be part of a British brand and everything they do is just so cool. Triumph suits me, they’re just really down-to-earth guys. Very jeans and t-shirt style and I love that.”

The four times WSB champion now enjoys riding bikes more than during his racing years because there is no pressure to win. Although he admits his winning streak never fails…

“It’s only the last few years I’ve realised I love riding motorbikes. I guess the other years I didn’t really enjoy riding because I still felt like I had to win to prove a point, that’s finally gone now. Although saying that, when I was at sprint race in Glemseck 101 recently my head went completely. I thought ‘I really want to win this’ and we did, so that was good. I now enjoy riding bikes for fun, which I never did before and that’s a real shame. I love being with Triumph and spending weekends riding motocross with my mates.”

At home Carl has a Street Triple and a Thruxton R, next year he wants a bobber. Triumph currently don’t have a bobber in their range, does Carl know something we don’t…

Which of the 2017 bikes are you eyeing up? Let us know here.