While his new teammate Scott Redding, replacing Álvaro Bautista who left for Honda, achieved a very credible third time, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a more difficult test and ranked fifteenth at the end of these tests. , falling twice on the first day and completing fewer than 30 laps on the second.
While this Thursday, the Ducati arena presented the MotoGP team in Bologna with pomp, it seemed to Chaz Davies that everything was conspiring against him. Behind Rea in 1'40.983, Razgatlioglu in 1'41.214 and his teammate Redding in 1'41.407, the Welshman could only claim a modest 1'44.
A violent fall on the second lap forced Chaz Davies to stop his testing very early on the first day. The Welshman returned to the track the next day, completing 27 laps but was unable to find the ideal conditions to push to the maximum (P15, 1'44.276).
We were positive at Ducati: “After a first day conditioned by the incessant rain which made the track conditions delicate, causing numerous accidents, during the second day of activity, Scott Redding and Chaz Davies managed to complete a good number of laps – in almost dry track conditions – obtaining important data to improve the feeling with their Ducati Panigale V4 R.
To Chaz Davies, “We worked on the bike and that didn't allow me to concentrate on performance. I can't hide the fact that we encountered some problems during these tests, but I am sure that we can be much more competitive in the next two days
in Portimao. »
“The base to work from is obviously very good, but we need to do a lot of laps. That's why I hope to have four days in dry conditions between the tests in Portugal and Australia. This would allow us to arrive in the best conditions for the first race of the season. »
“It's good that we were able to do a few extra laps in the dry at the end. So we were able to make some progress. But we also encountered some difficulties. The rear has been modified and there has been an issue with a new engine specification, which we hope will be under control in Portimão. »
“We start the new season with a base that we already know. The idea is that from this base and with the new parts we can improve little by little. But for that we need more time in the dry. But so far we've only had four days of good weather testing and it won't be long before Australia is here. »
“What exactly changed in the back?” Almost everything related to suspension: The swingarm and also the position of the mounting points on the chassis. It has therefore been massively modified. I only did a few laps at Jerez, but the rear end was completely different. We must now make an effort to find the right balance. During the test, the balance was really totally different from what I was used to. »
“With my new teammate Scott Redding, to be honest, we haven't talked much yet. Scott is busy with his business and I'm busy with mine. Of course we are working with the same material and it will be interesting to see how it will cope with the changes at the rear and the balance on the bike. I concentrate on my tasks. »
“For the Championship, it is good that Honda is more involved. But for me it doesn't make any difference, it's just an additional opponent. Of course you may think that weaker teams and drivers are better for me. But like I said, it's good for the Championship. Personally, I think Honda's return is good because it highlights the importance of the World Superbike Championship. Almost every major manufacturer has a factory team, that's important. »
Photos © Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
