Laguna Seca Race 2 winner Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) is ready for the fight at the front of the field as the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rolls into Portimao for round ten of the season. Davies returned to form at Laguna Seca in the USA, with second place in Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race, before storming into the lead in Race 2 and securing an emotion return to the top step of the podium.

The Welshman’s season has been a difficult one, as he adapted to a new crew chief as well as a new motorcycle in the Ducati Panigale V4 R. Achieving pole position at Imola and a podium had been his highlights of the season up until Laguna Seca, having been wiped out of contention for a rostrum in Race 2 at Jerez by arch-rival Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK). Will Davies’ win at the Californian circuit propel him to new heights at Portimao?

Speaking ahead of the Acerbis Portuguese Round, Davies said: “After the summer break and about two months after my win, I know it’s going to be a tough race here at Portimao, but the gains we made at Laguna Seca and the work we did in the test has really put a bit of a spring in my step.”

Davies has never won at Portimao but has been on the podium no less than three times, whilst starting from the front after Superpole on two occasions. With podiums and front rows, will Davies finally be able to stand on the top step at the Algarve International Circuit?

“I feel like the bike is now a lot different to the one I’ve been racing this season and I’m looking forward to the race because I feel our pace is quite decent,” continued the 2018 WorldSBK runner-up.

“Going on past results, for me this track is not the easiest one to get a win at, but I’m feeling optimistic because the Panigale V4 R is going better around here than the twin ever did. I’m feeling confident, even though Portimao is not an easy track and the bumps and undulations throw up a lot of different challenges.”

Davies’ win puts him in the thick of a battle for third in the championship, in which six riders are covered by a mere 50 points. The former World Supersport champion lies seventh overall and will look to make gains on those who lie ahead of him in the race for the bronze medal position in the championship.

Find out if Chaz Davies can repeat his Laguna Seca achievements in Portugal with the WorldSBK VideoPass!