A day to remember for Davies
Chaz Davies, who had come close to a breakthrough in the two previous rounds at Miller and Misano, finally fulfilled his aim by taking his ParkinGO MTC Racing Aprilia RSV4 to the podium slot at the MotorLand Aragon circuit in Alcaniz over the weekend: it was the Welshman's first podium finish in the eni FIM Superbike World Championship in his rookie season.
Fourth in race 1 right behind Carlos Checa, in the afternoon the reigning Supersport champion showed his worth not only by taking the chequered flag in third place, but by even battling hard for the win. After starting from row 2 with an eighth place in the Tissot-Superpole, Davies then scrapped hard with Marco Melandri (winner of race 2) and with fellow Aprilia men Eugene Laverty and Max Biaggi.
A third place was just reward for the former Daytona 200 Mile winner in this first half of the season, as well as for the excellent work done by the ParkinGO MTC Racing team headed by Giuliano Rovelli.
"I watched SBK since I was a kid and I have followed it as if it was my religion. Imagine how I feel now", declared Davies after the podium. "The Aprilias are very strong here but they don't get developed on their own. That's why I have to say that I am very happy for the results, prizing the work of the team. They have provided me a great bike and our job has been finally recognized. Now I have a good feeling with the bike, even with the aerodynamics that are not a question of being small or big. I'm a bit taller but my position on the seat allowed me to ride with no aerodynamic holes and this is important."
"As for the race attitude, I have not many problems. Specially on race 2, when I was recovering I was only thinking to improve tenth by tenth. When I found myself there I tried to do my best. I even had the time to get mad at myself for a couple of mistakes done. When I reached the top three, I decided to fight without overreacting. I have to say that I respect Max Biaggi and all what he has done. I have chosen to fight with him but I always wanted to be clean, showing him the wheel and overtaking with no risks because his position on the world championship. Last year I was on his position and it was different for me, that's why I know a mistake could be very annoying. As for the future I have no special goals. I'll fight weekend by weekend with the confidence that I can always do better."
With these results in Spain, where he also won last year in Supersport, Chaz Davies is now in tenth place in the standings, and in a battle for the unofficial ‘Rookie of the Year' award with Davide Giugliano, ninth just 16 points ahead of him.
