Arezzo/Borgo Panigale (Italy), Monday 27 July 2015 – The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team is on its way to Malaysia and the Sepang International Circuit where round 10 of the 2015 Superbike World Championship is taking place this weekend. Chaz Davies will be the team’s sole representative this weekend, as Davide Giugliano is forced to take a three-month break after an accident at Laguna Seca left him with a fracture of the D3 vertebra.
Just ten days ago the Italian squad was on track at Laguna Seca in the United States. Davies demonstrated his determination right from session one, positioning himself among the frontrunners and earning the first pole position of his Superbike career in the Superpole. The following day, the Welshman put together two perfect races, dominating both from beginning to end to score the double win.
This weekend the Aruba Ducati rider will have to contend with the extreme Malaysian conditions with high temperatures and significant humidity. Last season Davies closed race one fourth and the second race in eighth place, results he hopes to be able to improve on this time around.
As the team sets out for the tenth of thirteen scheduled rounds, Chaz retains third position in the general standings with 263 points, while Ducati continues to hold second place in the manufacturer’s championship with 318 points.
Comments ahead of the event:
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7)
“All things considered I think we did a good job last year. The high temperatures were a big issue for us, especially in the races where grip worsened significantly after a few laps. We were quite fast for as long as we had tyre life but it wasn’t for long enough unfortunately. We are definitely in a better position now and so we should be more competitive, especially considering our recent results. The weather may also impact on the practices and races, with the likelihood of thunderstorms almost every day… We just have to wait and see but I think we have every reason to be confident.”
Circuit Information:
Country: Malaysia
Name: Sepang International Circuit
Length: 5.548 km
Pole position: right
Race distance: 16 laps/88.768 km
RECORDS: Best lap – Melandri (Aprilia) 2’04.884 (2014). Superpole – Guintoli (Aprilia) 2’03.002 (2014).
2014 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Melandri (Aprilia); 2. Guintoli (Aprilia); 3. Laverty (Suzuki). Race 2 – 1. Melandri (Aprilia); 2. Guintoli (Aprilia); 3. Sykes (Kawasaki)
Rider Information:
Chaz Davies
Bike: Ducati Panigale R
Race number: 7
Age: 28 (Born 10/02/1987 in Knighton, Wales)
Number of SBK races: 91
Number of wins: 7
Number of podiums: 26
Davies’ SBK track record at Sepang
2014: Race 1 – 4th, Race 2 – 8th
Weekend schedule (CET +6):
Friday
10.00 – 10:45 – SBK Timed Practice 1
15.00 – 15.45 – SBK Timed Practice 2
Saturday
09.45 – 10.30 – SBK Timed Practice 3
12.30 – 13.00 – SBK Free Practice
15.00 – 15.15 – Superpole 1
15.25 – 15.40 – Superpole 2
Sunday
9.45 – 10.00 – SBK Warm-up
13.30 – SBK Race 1
16.30 – SBK Race 2
