Davies Targets Title

Chaz Davies wants to give his Ducati an emotional send off by bagging the World Superbikes crown.

The Knighton-born rider has twice finished runner-up in the past three years as rival Jonathan Rea has swept to a hat-trick of titles.

But Davies will be out to end Rea’s domination when the season starts in Melbourne later this month.

And it will also be the end of his Panigale R bike before Ducati launch the Panigale V4 dream machine next season.

Davies – who has claimed 23 of his 27 career wins on the bike – said: “It will be an emotional season.

“This is my fifth year on track with the Panigale R.

“I’ve won many races with this bike, which triggers many special memories, so it will be an honour to properly send it off before the Panigale V4 debuts on track,”

Davies unveiled his 2018 challenger this week admitting he has been playing catch-up fitness wise after injuring knee ligaments in a test in Jerez last November.

The 30-year-old has also had to get used to new rev limiter rules for this year which are aimed at levelling up the playing field.

But he insists he will be raring to go when the season starts at Phillip Island near Melbourne on February 23.

He added: “The injury sustained last November has kept me busy during the winter break.

“I worked hard to make sure I’m ready for the season opener.

“The new rules for sure will make it more interesting for the public. We just need to do our homework but I don’t see any reasons why we shouldn’t be as competitive as in the past.

“We’re working hard and there are upgrades in the pipeline for Phillip Island. We’re ready to battle.”