Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider Chaz Davies took the lead from the middle of the front row in Race 1 at Donington Park, beating poleman Tom Sykes to the first apex and slowly starting to pull away. A crash soon after saw Davies lose the front end of his Panigale R, but the Welshman was able to rejoin and begin an impressive comeback. Sadly, however, the Ducati rider suffered another incident later in the race and retired from P9.

“Very difficult and very disappointing,” were Davies’ first words on the day. “I was kind of feeling the bike out as I was going after missing 40 minutes and most of Free Practice 2 on Friday, and I felt like I didn’t really know what I was going to be riding for most of the race. I didn’t really have an educated choice on the front tyre decision and I was going into the race a little bit blind.”

An issue in the second practice session of the Ducati’s rider’s home Round saw the Welshman’s bike need the attention of marshals and fire extinguishers, and the title contender subsequently missed the rest of the session.

“I can’t say I was really comfortable from the early laps but we seemed to be getting round ok. I didn’t do too much different, I just let go of the front brake a little bit quicker than usual and the front ended up folding. That was that, then I got back on…and same again, although that was more a front push on the brake. Either way, very disappointing.”

Davies holds onto P2 in the points standings despite the DNF, with KRT rider Tom Sykes having closed in after his victory but not yet on an even footing with the Welshman.

“I’m not thinking about the Championship, I´m thinking about winning Races because that’s what will get me back into contention. That’s what I was out for today, and we’ll live to fight again tomorrow.”

Race 2 sees lights out at the same time on Sunday at 15:00 local time (GMT +1) as Davies goes for glory once again against now seven-time Donington winner Tom Sykes.