A familiar face will return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with Loris Baz standing in for the injured Chaz Davies at Team GoEleven as the Welshman continues his recovery from two broken ribs sustained in a crash during the Tissot Superpole Race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing).

Davies was transported to Catalunya Hospital following the incident and diagnosed with two broken ribs with Team GoEleven opting to bring Baz into the team as Davies recovers. Baz last competed in WorldSBK in 2020 but made the switch to MotoAmerica in 2021, competing on a Ducati Panigale V4 R and claiming nine podiums in his debut campaign Stateside, finishing second on five occasions and claiming fourth in the standings.

In WorldSBK, Baz has already competed in 133 races in the World Championship with two wins to his name at Silverstone in 2012 and 2013. After a successful 2014 campaign when he claimed fifth in the Championship, Baz moved over to the MotoGP™ paddock between 2015 and 2018 before returning to WorldSBK in 2018 onboard BMW machinery. 2019 brought a new team for Baz as he switched to Yamaha machinery with Ten Kate Racing, securing tenth in the Championship despite a part-season campaign. A full-time campaign beckoned in 2020 with four podiums helping Baz to eighth in the Championship.

Discussing his return to WorldSBK, Baz said: “First of all I want to wish Chaz a quick recovery, it's never nice when a rider has an injury and I hope he gets back on the bike soon. I thank Team Go Eleven for the opportunity given, as well as Ducati and my team in America, HSBK, and Ducati New York, for letting me come back to Europe earlier than expected to be able to participate in the next WorldSBK races. It was a last-minute deal, I still have to fix everything to take the flight, but I can't wait to be in Jerez, a track I really like, and get on the Superbike version of the Ducati V4-R. I'll do my best and give 100% as always!"

Denis Sacchetti, Team GoEleven Team Manager, added: "I just spoke with Chaz, he's fine, but he's angry at not being able to be with us on the track. Now his goal is to recover as soon as possible for the season finale. I'm sure Loris will be able to hold our flag high. He has already demonstrated what he is capable of. He is a strong, fast rider, he has a lot of experience although he is still very young, and he also knows the characteristics of the V4 R, a bike with which he has just raced in the American championship. I want to thank Loris for having accepted this new challenge I can't wait to see him on the track with our colours!"

Follow all the action from Jerez using the WorldSBK VideoPass!