In front of the adoring Ducatisi, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) stood on the podium at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, in an interrupted race.

Davies started from pole position following a stunning lap time set in Superpole, at a circuit he is flying around off the back of a tough weekend last time out at Assen. Under sunny skies the British rider got an impressive start off the line and didn’t look back. Breaking the lap record, he was able to secure the victory as the red flags were waved following a crash with Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia).

With the result confirmed, Davies explains: “I really think this track is a good place for me with the bike we’ve got, especially this year. I feel like in the last few races we’ve made a good step in the right direction and that’s really important with these tight chicanes here, I think before in the earlier parts of the season last year we weren’t quite there in that part but thanks to the guys at Ducati they’ve given me something that really punches hard in these first chicanes and I think that helps and for my style this track helps me exploit my strong points. It was a lonely race but it doesn’t make it any easier, I was controlling the gap but in the end my bike was feeling great.”

Italian team-mate Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was able to see his fans from the podium on his return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. Sitting in second position for the majority of the opening laps, he was caught by Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team). Battling to hold onto third position, the Italian was pushing to secure a podium finish, which he secured as the red flags were waved.

Melandri explains: “To be on the podium here in front of my crowd is an awesome feeling. The race was tough for me, at the beginning I had a good start and I knew that Chaz had a different pace from me. This morning we struggled a little bit with acceleration, we couldn’t use all the power, it was good because I was up with the Kawasaki boys but I am not 100% there yet. From this morning we had a problem with the gear as it wouldn’t change up so I hope to improve that tomorrow.”

Keep up and see if Melandri can bridge the gap to the leaders around the Imola circuit as he continues to improve on his return to the series, as Davies looks to take the gentlemen’s set, all followed live on the WorldSBK VideoPass.