After his podium in Sepang, WorldSBK.com caught up with Ducati rider Davide Giugliano as the Italian visited his home GP at Mugello. Also back in Europe, the next stop on the WorldSBK calendar sees the paddock head to Donington Park in the UK for Round 7 to see if the Italian can keep up his podium pace. So after some more difficult Rounds, what made the difference in Malaysia?

“The key is hard work. Step by step with my crew,” clarified Giugliano. “I had a few races that weren’t very good and I wasn’t able to push with my bike, but now with the new setup it’s possible to get up to third or fourth position. Malaysia was a very good race. I got back on the podium after 2 or 3 not so good Rounds. Right now I´m not quite as fast as Chaz, but I think step by step it’s possible to close the gap and go with Chaz in the race. This is very important, for me and the Team, but also for Ducati and Chaz’s Championship. He’s second now and it’s important to offer a hand.”

The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider finished P2 in Race 2, getting back on the podium and showing his confidence in the wet. After hunting down a large advantage for Honda rider Nicky Hayden and eventually crossing the line close to the American legend, Giugliano focuses more on the podium result that the victory as he hunts down his first WorldSBK win.

“Ok, so Nicky Hayden won but Nicky is a very important rider for WorldSBK,” the American’s rival explained. “He’s a MotoGP Legend and a MotoGP World Champion, and he’s important both for the Championship and for the other riders. And now I think Nicky will be really fast in the next race.”

That next race takes the paddock to Donington Park, and a very different track and climate to that of Sepang International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur. So is Giugliano expecting another performance like Race 2 in Malaysia?

“I really like Donington,” stated the Italian. “It’s really possible to push there. I expect in the next race to be close to the podium – it’s possible for me to be in the top 4 now. I hope it’s dry at Doningon…although the wet is good for me, it’s a beautiful race in the dry.”

Round 7 sees the season pass the halfway point as WorldSBK touches down in the UK from the 27^th to 29^th May at Donington Park in Derbyshire, where Giugliano will join his rivals back on track.