Davies Vows To Come Back Strong After Superbikes Summer Break

Chaz Davies has vowed to come back firing on all cylinders when World Superbikes returns after its long summer break.

The Knighton-born rider went into the break just missing out on a podium after finishing fourth in the second race at Misano in Italy.

Davies started eighth on the grid after finishing second in the opening race, but despite making up several positions missed out on the podium in front of the team’s home fans by just two seconds.

The aruba.it Racing rider saw Jonathan Rea complete the double at the track to extend his lead over Davies to 92 points as he moved closer to a fourth straight title.

Davies said: “I felt we had the potential to be in the mix and it was a good battle early on, but after five or six laps we unexpectedly started to struggle with rear traction.

“I’m a little bit disappointed, because we made some changes after Race 1 but we didn’t go the right way. That said, overall it’s been a really good, solid weekend, much better than last year, so I can’t complain.

“In the last couple of races we’ve been consistent and uncovered a few important details. Going into the summer break just missing the podium will put a little extra fire in the belly ahead of the last four rounds.”

Davies’ chances of overhauling Kawasaki rival Rea look all but over with just 200 points left to play for, but he looks set to claim the runners-up spot for the third time in his career.

He will resume the Superbikes season with a test at Portimao on August 23-24 ahead of the 10th round of the championship at the track in Portugal on September 14-16.