Davies’ Imola Double Sets-Up Donington Park Homecoming

Chaz Davies will go into his home World Superbikes round buoyed by his stunning double win in Imola.

The Knighton-born rider made it four wins in a row on the Italian track for Ducati to move equal 10th on the all-time victory list with 23 career wins.

It was just the boost Davies was looking for ahead of next week’s double header at Donington Park.

The 30-year-old’s double in Ducati’s home race lifted him back to second in the championship standings with 161 points after five rounds.

Davies is 74 points behind reigning two-time champ Jonathan Rea with the Ulsterman’s Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes one point further back in third.

Having won the first race in dominating fashion from pole, Davies was forced to start Sunday’s second race from ninth on the grid under the new rules.

He did not have the best of starts, but was handed another chance when the race was red flagged due to oil on the track.

This time he was quickly out of the blocks into sixth spot before moving his way through the field.

And after sweeping past the Kawasaki of Tom Sykes with an awesome move on lap eight he pulled away to win by four seconds from Rea with Sykes third.

“What a weekend!” said Davies. “For the first time this year, I feel we’ve been the benchmark from the beginning.

“We were able to find our rhythm on Friday, and it sort of snowballed from there.

“The team has done an awesome job, the bike worked superbly in both races, in different conditions, but the second race was quite interesting.

“We got mixed up at the first start, but after the re-start we got a good launch and I was able to make some good moves that put us in a good position.

“Sykes’ pace was strong, so I had to put my head down to hunt him and, once I caught him, I was able to set my own pace and that was good enough.

“Thanks to all the Italian fans for showing up this weekend, their push was something special.”