Jan Van Vijnckt is a Belgian flat track racer, photographer, and builder who brings a raw, hands-on energy to everything he does. Racing for Triumph Heritage, Jan is known for pushing his self-restored1972 Bonneville T140 across ice, dirt, and sand at events throughout Europe. His riding style is aggressive but intentional - built on instinct, experience, and a deep respect for the motorcycles he rides.

Off the track, Jan runs a renovation business in Gavere, where he applies the same precision and craftsmanship to homes as he does to motorcycles. He also documents the world through his lens as Conograph, capturing the unfiltered reality of racing: cracked visors, frozen breath, and the quiet tension before the flag drops. His photography is immersive, often taken from inside the action, at the very events he races.

Jan’s garage is a living archive of Triumph history. His Bonneville, imported from Baltimore and rebuilt piece by piece, reflects his philosophy: ride hard, fix it yourself, and let the machine tell its story. Whether he’s wrenching late into the night or sleeping in a van en-route to the next rally, Jan lives a life powered by a passion for everything he enjoys in life. Find out more about our Triumph Heritage racer and friend.

Jan Van Vijnckt: It’s more than just racing, it’s about representing a legacy. Triumph has this timeless spirit, and being part of the Heritage team lets me carry that forward. Whether I’m on the track or behind the lens, I feel like I’m contributing to a story that started over a century ago. I’ve driven through Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium (sometimes with five bikes crammed into a van) sleeping in petrol station car parks. It’s not glamorous. It’s cold showers, broken chains, and late-night repairs. But it’s also laughter, shared beers, and the kind of friendships you never forget through doing this.

Let’s talk about your bikes. You’ve got a 1972 Bonneville T140 that’s become iconic in the flat track scene. What’s the story behind it?

Jan: That bike means a lot to me. I imported it from Baltimore in 2021, it was built by Phil Miller, who sadly passed away that year. I rebuilt it from the ground up, repainted it in a 70s-inspired scheme, and modified the exhaust. It’s not just a machine - it’s a tribute.

Jan: It’s not just a logo on a jersey, I select who I want to work with and it means more than just being given a jersey to wear. Triumph Heritage is an extension of my own personality and represents everything I stand for in my life. It’s about resilience, legacy, and classic style that doesn’t flinch. The community and friends I have made through racing is just as important as the racing itself.

What’s the best conversation you’ve had in a garage and what were you fixing at the time?

Jan: It happened when I was with my good friend, Torsten Robbens. Together with another friend, we were helping him prepare his motorcycle for a land speed record attempt the next day.That day, he had already set a record in the non-streamlined class, and the next day he aimed to do the same in the streamlined class. We spent the entire night working, fitting the fairings, fabricating custom parts, and making sure everything came together perfectly. Throughout the night, we talked about all the small details that make a difference, how to squeeze out that extra mile of speed and what it takes to push the limits. For me, this captures the true essence of motorcycle life: spending time with friends, working together, and creating nights you’ll never forget.

What role does travel play in your life as a rider and photographer?

Jan: Travel is essential and it’s where I find stories to shoot, meet people, and push myself. Every event is a new landscape, a new challenge. I drive across borders with friends, bikes in tow, cameras ready. It’s not just about racing, it’s about community and discovery.

Jan: Conograph is my way of expressing my vision through the lens. I’ve always had a deep love for both the desert and the water, and I try to reflect that balance in my photography, capturing my own world of dust and salt on canvas. My journey started with the artistic influences in my family, from well-known Belgian painters to sculptors. I remember being fascinated by one of my uncle’s old black-and-white photographs; his eye for composition and emotion truly inspired me. That moment led me to buy my first analog camera and start framing the things I loved. Photography has become more than second nature to me ,it’s my way of sharing emotion and perspective, hoping to inspire others and connect them with worlds they might not yet know.

What’s your approach to capturing emotion in your photography?

Jan: When I shoot, I always prepare myself to get into the right mindset for the story I want to capture. Working with brands means understanding what they aim to communicate and how they want people to feel. Once you truly understand that, you can translate it into your images. Believing in the brands you work with is essential, it’s the only way to authentically capture their essence on canvas.

What does Triumph Heritage mean to you, personally?

Jan: It’s about honouring the past while riding into the future. Triumph Heritage isn’t just a brand -it’s a feeling. It’s the sound of a Bonneville engine and the camaraderie in the paddock with your component but also friend. I don’t wear Triumph because it’s trendy. I wear it because it’s earned its place in the dirt, the rain, and represents something special in motorcycling through history.

Keep up with Jan as he hits the next track, rebuilds the next bike, and finds his next adventure on the road, in the garage, and wherever else.