Seabright bags maiden World Sportbike win at Magny-Cours

Fenton Seabright rode to his maiden World Sportbike Championship win at Magny-Cours in an impressive weekend for the Louth-based PHR Performance Triumph World Sportbike team.

After the long summer break, Seabright and Harrison Dessoy returned to action in France for round six of the championship where Seabright was on top form riding to a win and a third place in the two races while Dessoy was right behind with a brace of eighth places.

Team owner Peter Hickman said: “Massive congratulations to Fenton for the race win, it was well deserved.

“Yesterday was a huge step in our first WorldSBK campaign with Fenton taking his and our maiden win on the Daytona 660 Triumph Racing bike and grabbing pole for race two and finishing in third place.

“It was rounded off with another brilliant ride from Harrison coming home in eighth only two seconds off the win and starting fourth in race two and finishing eighth again.

“I am super proud of what the PHR boys are doing, the majority of the team - riders and mechanics - are only 21 years old with the oldest being 25. To achieve what they are doing in their first ever World Championship is unreal!

“Thank you to the people who are helping make this happen - CXGlobal, Champion Lubes / Wolf Oil, SBS Brakes, Moto-Master Brake Systems,  Triumph Racing.”

Starting race one from a second row grid position Seabright was soon in the mix for the lead within the top five riders who had broken clear of the pack and by lap six had the lead.

In an action packed final four laps the lead was exchanged on multiple occasions between Seabright and championship leader David Salvador.

As they crossed the line Seabright was in second place just a tyre tread separating him from Salvador but the stewards gave Salvador a penalty for crossing track limits and Seabright was awarded the win, his first on the current campaign.

Seabright commented: “Its amazing, I am super happy with my first world championship win.

“Thanks to the team who worked hard to get the bike sorted for me, they did a really good job.”

Starting race two from pole position Seabright didn't get the best of starts but worked his way back up to the front of the pack and was fighting within a group of eight riders all capable of taking the win.

It all came down to the last corner of the final lap with Seabright finishing in third place for his second podium of the weekend.

Meanwhile Harrison Dessoy started the first race from the fourth row and was leading the second wave of riders to finish the 11 lap affair in eighth place.

In race two he started from fourth on the grid and was running in second place on the opening lap. He was overtaken by the faster leading group and was left to lead the second group home once again in eighth place.

Dessoy said: “I am happy with the weekend’s efforts and more points on the board.

“It wasn’t the best of starts in race one but I managed to close a big gap to the front group after the start. A big  thank you to my team, Leon and Daniel, we’re building the right foundations and learning each session.”

Next round is 25th-27th September in Cremona, Italy.