WSS: BE1 appointed as official Triumph team

TRIUMPH has appointed BE1 Racing as its official team for the 2009 Supersport World Championship.

The Italian squad will enter riders Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli on the latest version of Triumph’s award-winning Daytona 675.

The deal was announced at the world press launch of the updated-for-2009 Daytona 675 at the Cartagena circuit in southern Spain. BE1 Racing is no stranger to Triumph, having been the British manufacturer’s top finishers in the 2008 championship.

Australian rider McCoy is also well versed with the three-cylinder Triumph, having campaigned a Daytona 675 in an injury-hit 2008 season. The talented 36-year-old from Sydney brings a wealth of experience to the squad and is one of a select few riders to have won world championship races in both in the 500cc Grand Prix and Superbike classes.

Nannelli, 34, from Florence, is one of the most popular riders in the world Supersport paddock and has a CV that includes several podium finishes and one win in the class.

Garry McCoy said: “Having ridden the Triumph last season I was keen to stay with the company and continue the development of the bike. BE1 Racing is the obvious choice as they are the top team racing Triumphs. I raced for BE1 at the last round of the 2008 season and found them to be very professional in their approach, which gives me a lot of confidence for the year ahead.”

Gianluca Nannelli added: “My first impression of the standard Daytona 675 is very positive, with an excellent chassis and a strong engine. I am looking forward to testing the racing version of the Triumph and hope that we can make some good results for my fans and the Triumph supporters.”