Triumph Daytona 660 Secures Important Sportbike Points in Assen
The Triumph Daytona 660 recorded more FIM Sportbike World Championship points this weekend with CM Triumph Factory Racing’s Bruno Ieraci and Elia Bartolini joining PHR Performance Triumph’s Harrison Dessoy inside the top 15 at the TT Circuit Assen, which hosted the second round of the 2026 season.
The weekend started strongly for the British manufacturer, with all four Triple-powered machines setting competitive lap times in Friday Practice. Superpole awaited, and it was another promising performance with Fenton Seabright rocketing to a seventh-place start for Saturday’s opening race. Ieraci and Bartolini secured 13th and 16th places respectively, with Dessoy qualifying 17th for the first of the two 12 Lap World Sportbike outings.
Firing the 660 off the line, Ieraci launched himself into sixth on the opening lap and cemented himself in the podium battle from the off. As the laps ticked by, the Italian rider muscled his way into the podium places and remained in the fight throughout the frantic 12-lap battle. As the race developed, Ieraci kept his cool, dropping to sixth, the number 18 rider pushed to the end, crossing the line just ahead of teammate Bartolini [seventh], who also featured amongst the leading battle for the duration of the race.
Sunday’s second encounter proved to be a similar affair, with another race-long, multi-rider battle at the head of the field. A strong start from the second row for both CM Triumph Factory Racing riders saw them leap into the lead battle, with Bartolini pushing his way to second by lap four. Setting the fastest lap in the process, the Italian rider set his sights on the race leader, but a small mistake at Turn 5 saw him slide out of contention – unhurt, he remounted with a sensational recovery ride to 14th, securing two important points for his championship efforts.
Meanwhile, teammate Ieraci remained consistent inside the top six. As the clouds rolled in and rain began to fall, the Factory Triumph rider saw his opportunity, flying to the head of the field at the start of the penultimate lap before being shuffled back at the Geert Timmer Chicane. Crossing the line to start the final tour in 5th, a small mistake at turn one proved costly as he relinquished further positions but fought back to cross the line in seventh place.
The PHR Performance Triumph ended a challenging second round of the World Sportbike Championship on a high note, with Harrison Dessoy securing points aboard the number 55 Daytona 660.
Race one proved to be a bruising affair, with both Dessoy and the returning Seabright crashing out on the opening lap.
Returning to action for Sunday’s second race, the British pairing set out for redemption. Seabright made a bright start, but a penalty for causing a collision in race one hindered his progress, finishing 25th. Meanwhile, a determined Dessoy battled his way up to 13th, where he ultimately crossed the line to secure his second points finish of the campaign.
With solid points on the board, Bruno Ieraci sits eighth in the overall standings with teammate Bartolini in ninth. PHR Performance Triumph’s Dessoy leaves Assen lying 16th. Triumph sit fourth in the manufacturer standings.
The FIM Sportbike World Championship returns for the third round of the season at Most on the weekend of May 15-17.
Bruno Ieraci - CM Triumph Factory Racing:
“Today’s race was a battle and one that I think we could’ve had a podium finish in. We did a great job all weekend as a team but we’re missing just that final bit to fight for the win. Hopefully in Most we will battle again and get on the podium. Thank you to team CM Triumph Factory Racing, Triumph Motorcycles and all my sponsors and supporters – see you in Most.”
Elia Bartolini - CM Triumph Factory Racing:
“A good race on Saturday in the leading group but today was not my day. I fought up to second but sadly I crashed. I rejoined and pushed as hard as I could and finished in P14 to get some points. We will try again in Most.”
Harrison Dessoy - PHR Performance Triumph:
“After Saturday's disappointment, I'm happy with today's race. I had a really tricky lap one after running wide and losing around 13 places and dropping to well out of the top 20, but the feeling with the PHR Performance Triumph was good so I just pushed as hard as I could. I managed to get to the front of the second group and then managed to open a comfortable gap. The pace is there, I just need to tidy the first few laps up and hopefully I'll be fighting at the front. That's the goal for Most, and I'm looking forward to it.”
Fenton Seabright - PHR Performance Triumph:
"It wasn't a great weekend sadly. After a good start yesterday I had a crash in the first race whilst running in the front group. I tried bouncing back but with the penalties it made it difficult. We completed the Long Lap Penalties and pushed to the end where I took the flag in 25th. The bike felt great, the team were awesome and we leave Assen having posted the fourth fastest time and a good direction for Most in a few weeks."
