Ieraci claims debut Daytona 660 victory as Seabright podiums in Misano

The Triumph Daytona 660 secured its maiden FIM Sportbike World Championship victory this weekend as Italy’s CM Triumph Factory Racing’s Bruno Ieraci stormed to race one victory at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Triumph’s success didn’t end on Saturday, however, as PHR Performance Triumph’s Fenton Seabright recorded his second podium finish, concluding today’s second race in third place.

The fifth round of the WorldSpB Championship kicked off in a positive manner, with both factory Daytona 660 machines qualifying inside the top eight with Seabright lining up 11th for Saturday’s opening race. PHR Performance teammate Harrison Dessoy recovered from a lack of track time in Practice to qualify 28th.

Making a strong start, Ieraci instantly leapt into the lead group, firing his yellow and black liveried 660 machine into the top three. From there, the Italian kept his cool and used his local knowledge to strategically work his way to the head of the field by lap four.

Despite a fierce battle at the front, Ieraci held his nerve and maintained his lead right to the chequered flag, where he recorded his and Triumph’s maiden victory in the all-new World Sportbike class.

Meanwhile, teammate Elia Bartolini also had a strong race one. The 22-year-old also ran inside the leading group before ultimately taking the flag in eighth place.

From 11th on the grid, Seabright made a blistering start and began to work his way through the pack, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. Running in fourth place by the eighth of 12 circulations of the San Marino circuit, the British rider set his sights on the podium, but a moment for another rider out of Tramonto hindered the number 73’s momentum and dropped him in the clutches of the chasing pack.

Keeping his calm amidst the chaos, he crossed the line in fourth place before being demoted to sixth due to track limit excursions on the final tour of the Adriatic Coast venue.

Dessoy continued his learning progress around the all-new circuit. The Aragón podium finisher collected valuable data, finishing race one in 21st.

Today’s second race delivered another frantic 12 laps of action with Birthday boy Seabright starting on pole. Slotting into second place at turn one, he instantly looked to regain control of the race, slotting into the lead on the opening lap.

From there, he maintained his role in the leading cast and jostled for position in the front group. As the laps ticked by, Seabright worked his way back up to the head of the field and started the final lap in the lead. A smart first sector saw him hang on, but the slipstream into Curvone relegated him back to second place. A pass from Carter Thompson in the final sector placed him back into third place, where he crossed the line for his second World Sportbike podium.

Meanwhile, CM Triumph Factory Racing had a Sunday to forget after race one victor Ieraci crashed out on the opening lap. Sadly, teammate Bartolini later slid out from third place at Carro corner, ending their hopes of a second home round win.

Dessoy narrowly missed out on a points finish as the British youngster continued to make solid progress throughout today’s race, crossing the line in 16th.

Triumph’s maiden victory and third place finish sees them leap up to second in the Manufacturers Standings ahead of the sixth round of the championship at Magny Cours in September.

Bruno Ieraci - CM Triumph Factory Racing
"I'm super happy with yesterday's result, achieving the win after missing the second race in Aragón makes me very proud. It was also the first win here for me, CM Triumph Factory Racing and of course the Triumph Daytona 660, which to do at home in Misano is really special. I'm disappointed with today, crashing on lap one, but thank you to everyone and we'll see you in France."

Elia Bartolini - CM Triumph Factory Racing
“Today’s outcome was a pity because today we were fighting at the front and felt like we had a good chance of a podium fight. I was up to third but I made a small mistake at Carro and crashed. I was able to rejoin the race and finish. Nonetheless, yesterday’s race one was better. I was in the leading battle for all the race and finished in eighth place. We will enjoy this break, work hard and come back ready to fight again. Congratulations to Bruno and the team for their victory and the first of the Triumph Daytona 660.”

Fenton Seabright - PHR Performance Triumph
“I’m delighted with the podium result today, on my birthday too! Yesterday’s race we finished fourth over the line but had two positions docked due to Track Limits, which is a shame but rules are rules. Today we started from pole position and finished the race in third despite leading most of the race or being amongst the leading group. I couldn’t ask for a better birthday! Now we’ll keep working and keep pushing ahead of the next race.”

Harrison Dessoy - PHR Performance Triumph
“We were on the back foot a bit this weekend, but it wasn’t through a lack of trying. Misano was a new circuit for me and it proved to be really technical and quite tricky for me to click with and find my pace. Nevertheless, we kept trying as a team and today’s race gave me the best feeling with the bike. I was alone for a lot of the race but that highlighted the steps we’d made running alone. It’s all valuable data and learnings and we’ll take the positives into the next round at Magny Cours. A big thank you to my family, team and sponsors for the vital support during a tough weekend. We’ll bounce back in France.”