Two very satisfying Superbike races for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team yesterday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Davide Giugliano crossed the line second in race 2, having closed race 1 fourth, while Chaz Davies reached the podium in race 1 (third), before concluding race 2 fourth.

This means that at this point, mid-way though the 2015 championship, Davies retains fourth position in the overall standings, with 184 points, while Giugliano moves up to eleventh with 73 points. Ducati positions second in the manufacturer’s standings with 232 points.

Davide Giugliano: “This was an important podium for me, especially after having finished race 1 fourth. In the first race I simply didn’t find the right feeling with my bike due to a lack of grip that seems to occur as a result of variations in the weather. Fortunately it rained, because that way we were able to manage the situation a little better, to close fourth. A shame though as I could have achieved two podiums here today. For race two we made some changes and my team gave me a bike with which I was able to ride hard and finish second. The updates that my technicians have brought this weekend have helped me too and I’m really happy, especially for the fact that, after a three month break, my team has helped me to get back to a position in which I can fight for the win, which I hope will arrive soon.”

Chaz Davies: “Similarly to Donington, I think third was the best I could have done in race 1 here. Lap times were quick at the start and I was able to keep up with Rea and Sykes up to a certain point, but was then losing something in a couple of points of the track. We made a good pit-stop and I was able to hold third to the line, so I’m pleased with the result. The race was pretty wild, with very strong winds in addition to the rain. The second race was difficult right from the start. We made some changes between the first and second race but I didn’t have the right feeling with the front, and couldn’t really brake or stop my bike as I would have wanted. I think that the variation in temperature made the difference we will continue working to better understand how we can improve when temperatures rise.”