Ten Top Tens for Triumph in Wet Knockhill Sportbike Race
Round 4 of the National Sportbike Championship unfolded at Knockhill this weekend, with riders facing typically unpredictable Scottish weather that made for challenging conditions throughout.
In a mixed-condition qualifying session, Harrison Dessoy was the leading Triumph Daytona 660, securing a front-row start in P2 for the first of three races. The PHR Performance rider grabbed the holeshot in Saturday’s opener but was shuffled back a few positions before a red flag incident halted proceedings. The restarted race was shortened to 10 laps, with Dessoy battling for third before ultimately finishing fifth, just missing out on the podium. Thomas Strudwick brought his Triumph home in ninth, while the Macadam Triumph trio of Brodie Gawith, Jayden Martin, and Lewis Smart finished 14th, 18th, and 20th respectively.
Sunday’s schedule included two races, but it was an early end to the weekend for Gawith, who had impressed with a points finish on Saturday but suffered a heavy crash in the very wet morning warm-up.
Changeable weather continued into Sunday, with riders facing a drying track before the rain returned mid-race. Despite the conditions, Dessoy secured another solid result with sixth place, closely followed by Strudwick in seventh.
Martin put in a standout performance, charging through the field from 20th on the grid to finish ninth. He was locked in a thrilling battle to the line with teammate Lewis Smart, who also climbed from 19th to finish 11th, narrowly missing out on the top ten. Katie Hand crossed the line 26th after starting 34th.
In the third and final Sportbike race of the weekend, it was a trio of Daytona 660 riders in sixth, seventh and eighth with Dessoy, Strudwick and Taylor Rose with a fourth Triumph in the top ten ridden by Zak Shelton. Macadam Triumph riders Martin and Smart crossed the line 12th and 13th to collect more points while Hand finished 28th.
The National Sportbike Championship returns to action in three weeks at Brands Hatch, 25 - 27th July.
Harrison Dessoy #55: “Round four at Knockhill completed with a very busy schedule compared to usual. Three races finished, two wet today and a dry race yesterday. I had a good feeling in all three, it was a bit tricky in the wet and I struggled a bit more than usual. In the dry we had good pace in qualifying, good pace in the race but we were just a bit unlucky on the last corner of the last lap. The two wet races today went well, I stayed on and got good points so I’m pleased with that. I’m looking forward to Brands Hatch in a few week’s time.”
Jayden Martin #85: “We had a pretty rough start to the weekend finishing 18th but we turned it around in the second race finishing top ten with a P9. I’m stoked with that result. Started 10th on the grid and finished 12th in the last race. Couldn’t thank the team enough for putting me out on a great bike and thanks to everyone who makes it possible.”
Lewis Smart #32: “Not the best weekend for me. Started strong, feeling good in the wet conditions in free practice coming in the top 8. Qualifying was dry and we didn’t get the best setting. I qualified in 23rd which set me back for the weekend and gave me a lot of work to do in the races at Knochill where there aren’t many passing opportunities. I feel like I’m more confident here than my results show but that’s part of racing. We’ll regather and aim for a strong weekend at Brands Hatch in a few week’s time.”
TRIUMPH RESULTS - NATIONAL SPORTBIKE ROUND 4, KNOCKHILL
Race 1:
5. Harrison Dessoy (PHR Performance Triumph)
9. Thomas Strudwick (Structural Repairs Triumph)
14. Brodie Gawith (Macadam Triumph)
18. Jayden Martin (Macadam Triumph)
20. Lewis Smart (Macadam Triumph)
Race 2:
6. Harrison Dessoy (PHR Performance Triumph)
7. Thomas Strudwick (Structural Repairs Triumph)
8. Taylor Rose (London Fire and Security Triumph)
9. Jayden Martin (Macadam Triumph)
11. Lewis Smart (Macadam Triumph)
14. Zak Shelton (XMT Racing Triumph)
17. Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing Triumph)
26. Katie Hand (Macadam Triumph)
Race 3:
6. Harrison Dessoy (PHR Performance Triumph)
7. Thomas Strudwick (Structural Repairs Triumph)
8. Taylor Rose (London Fire and Security Triumph)
10. Zak Shelton (XMT Racing Triumph)
12. Jayden Martin (Macadam Triumph)
13. Lewis Smart (Macadam Triumph)
14. Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing Triumph)
27. Katie Hand (Macadam Triumph)
TRIUMPH CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
3. Harrison Dessoy (120 points)
8. Thomas Strudwick (66 points)
9. Rhys Stephenson (48 points)
10. Taylor Rose (46 points)
13. Lewis Smart (22 points)
18. Zak Shelton (15 points)
19. Jayden Martin (11 points)
23. Brodie Gawith (5 points)
