Davies Returns To World Superbikes Action as 2017 Countdown Starts

Chaz Davies is confident he is on track after getting back on his bike to start preparations for the 2017 World Superbikes campaign.

The Knighton-born flier finished this season on a high winning the last six races but was pipped for the runners-up spot in the standings.

But Davies has returned to action for the first of two tests – he will be in Jerez next week – on his Ducati.

The 29-year-old was joined by new team-mate Marco Melandri at the Spanish track where Davies racked up 106 laps.

Davies said: “Going into this test, we had a good list of parts to try for 2017.

“We got some good confirmation about the new front fork, and we also tried a different fuel tank to optimize aerodynamics, as well as some electronic upgrades.

“Of course, it’s still early and we have just started to work on the new package, but I’m quite confident we’re going in a good direction.

“I didn’t lap with my preferred setup and I only used a soft tyre at the very end of the last session, so the lap times could have been better probably, but that wasn’t our priority.

“Now we’ll go to Jerez, a very different track, to make some more evaluations and further benchmark our potential.”