Double podium for Louth-based PHR Performance duo

PHR Performance by Peter Hickman Racing team riders Fenton Seabright and Harrison Dessoy recorded a third place finish apiece at Aragon in round four the FIM World Sportbike championship.

The Louth-based team was in excellent form with Seabright completing his qualifying in fourth place and Dessoy, who was struggling with the 35 degree temperature, in 19th.

As the first race got underway on Saturday Seabright immediately claimed third place and was running in third and Dessoy ninth when the race was red flagged.

At the restart over five laps Seabright didn't get such a good start and settled into fifth place on the opening lap.

He was in the middle of a group of riders all challenging for the race lead.

The action was frantic with the lead exchanging over the last two laps.

Going into the final lap Seabright was in fourth place but the group was inseparable and he just got his wheel over the line in third place at the flag.

Dessoy was just a couple of seconds behind in eighth place.

Seabright was delighted with his first podium in the World Sportbike series and said: “It’s an amazing feeling, I can’t explain how happy I am right now - I am over the moon.

“A massive thank you to my team and all my sponsors, I am looking forward to the next race.”

Seabright started the second race on Sunday from the second row but ran wide at turn one and lost ground back to ninth just behind his teammate, who was holding eighth.

Once again the action was fast and furious. Dessoy was leading the second wave but, with the leaders holding each other up, the second group began to catch up.

Dessoy and Seabright latched onto the back of the leading group then two riders crashed, which elevated the two PHR Performance riders up to fifth and fourth.

Again there were five riders all bunched up together all crossing the finish line within a fraction of a second.

Dessoy was fifth and Seabright sixth, but two riders ahead were then penalised resulting in Dessoy being awarded third place and Seabright moving up to fourth.

Dessoy said: “I am lost for word. I crossed the line in fifth knowing one rider had a penalty then it turns out I got third.

“I am so proud, its incredible. I have come from qualifying down in 19th to this.

“Sometimes this sport can be so cruel, but the highs are so high. It’s just an incredible feeling.

“I want to thank my family, my friends and all the lads at PHR Performance. Its such a small team but they have done a fantastic job, I cant thank them enough.”

The next round is at Misano over the weekend of 12th to 14th June.