Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano are looking to make an impression as the halfway point of the 2015 WorldSBK season looms in Portugal this weekend.

Aragon winner Davies may have lost ground when technical problems resulted in a non-scoring weekend at Imola, but he bounced back with two home podiums last time out at Donington Park.

“I really like the Portimao track and think it is one of the best tracks in the world,” Welshman Davies begins. “It has elements that are similar to a motocross track and in certain sections it’s a little like a BSB track.

“We had a solid weekend there last year and I’m optimistic that we can do well and put up a good fight against our biggest rivals. We continue to aim for podium finishes at every round.”

Team-mate Giugliano has also been on the rostrum this season, on what was his return race to the World Championship from injury, at Imola.

“Portimao is a fun track but also, I think, one of the most difficult tracks of all,” the Italian admits. “Last year we achieved a significant podium finish in Portugal and this season, considering all of the improvements that have been made to my bike, I would hope to be able to do better. After the Donington weekend, my motivation is even higher and I hope that Sunday can bring two strong results.”

Ducati won the first two races at Portimao in 2008 on what was Troy Bayliss’ WorldSBK swansong; in that year’s season-ending event, the Australian headed into his first career retirement with pole position, two race wins and two fastest laps.