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Severe backache has limited Chaz Davies' riding during the Misano test to just a few laps, but the Aruba Ducati rider states that this small setback is not a serious injury but a result of intense training to improve his upper body: “while riding I felt a twinge in my back but, lap after lap, it gradually got worse. I had no choice but to come in and stop; now I just have to solve this little problem”.
But Chaz, before returning to the pits, was enjoying good sensations from his Panigale SBK: “I have to say that in only 14 laps at Misano my feeling was already really good, I was actually faster than I was in the race here in mid-June. I'm pleased because the team and I have found something that allows me to be more confident in my riding”.
This 2016 season has seen Davies win various races and fight for victory in others, but the Welshman is not totally satisfied with what he's achieved up until now: “if I'm honest, this championship has fallen below my expectations until now; I've had some complicated races and difficult weekends, in every way. But I think we have understood the reasons for some of the difficulties and have learned how to react; I've had some great races in which I wasn't 100%, perhaps I was 95% but now I know why”.
There are still 8 races to run however, 4 rounds, and Davies already knows what to expect: “it will be like it always is, in SBK every race is a battle but I'm very confident and will fight because, right now, we've found better pace and have stepped things up a gear. I'm feeling very keen and am determined to do well in these last four rounds”.
Touching on 2017, Davies reacts positively to the upcoming changes within the team, with the arrival of a new team-mate: “having Melandri with me will be a positive; he and I already shared a garage in 2013 when we were racing with BMW. He's a top rider and, despite his recent period of inactivity, he still knows how to ride a SBK fast... Marco will be one of the stars in 2017, I'll have a very strong and competitive team-mate. Having seen him ride the Panigale, I'm pleased with the decision and, you'll see, Melandri will raise the level of the team”.
