Arezzo/Borgo Panigale (Italy), Tuesday 14 July 2015 – The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team now travels to the United States for Round 9 of the 2015 Superbike World Championship, taking place this coming weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California.
It has been three weeks since the Italian team was last on track, scoring positive results at its home round of Misano. Both Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies reached the podium, obtaining a second and third place finish respectively and confirming this season’s positive trend. Strong from the results achieved thus far, the Aruba Ducati pair are confident as they travel on to the American event.
Last season’s US round did not go according to plan for either rider. After suffering a bad highside in Race 1, Davies was deemed unfit to participate in Race 2, a frustrating outcome for the Welsh rider, having completed positive practice sessions and qualifying on the front row. Giugliano was able to close the first of the day’s races fourth but then a crash in what became a complicated Race 2, run in three parts, put paid to his chances of reaching the podium.
As the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team enters into this ninth championship round, Davies is in fourth position in the general standings, with 213 points, while Giugliano is seventh with 106 points. Ducati lies second in the manufacturer’s classification with 268 points.
Comments ahead of the event:
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7)
“Laguna is one of my favourite tracks and I’m looking forward to being in America again. I’m heading over there a week early for some training and relaxation before travelling to the circuit. Last year was a huge disappointment because everything was going well and we were in a position to score some good results but then a crash in race 1 ruled me out of race 2. I’ll be doing my best to make up for that this year…”
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #34)
“The Laguna Seca track is really spectacular and one I really enjoy racing at. I’ve completed some solid races there in the past and I think our chances are good this time around too. Last year we had very strong pace but unfortunately I was unable to achieve the kind of results I’d hoped for. This year I’m feeling well prepared and am confident that I’ll be able to complete two good races.”
Circuit Information:
Country: USA
Name: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Length: 3.610 km
Pole position: right
Race distance: 25 laps/90.250 km
RECORDS: Best lap – Giugliano (Ducati) 1’23.403 (2014). Superpole – Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’21.881 (2014).
2014 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Melandri (Aprilia); 2. Guintoli (Aprilia); 3. Sykes (Kawasaki). Race 2 – 1. Sykes (Kawasaki); 2. Guintoli (Aprilia); 3. Rea (Honda)
Rider Information:
Chaz Davies
Bike: Ducati Panigale R
Race number: 7
Age: 28 (Born 10/02/1987 in Knighton, Wales)
Number of SBK races: 89
Number of wins: 5
Number of podiums: 24
Davies’ SBK track record at Laguna Seca
2014: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 – DNS
2013: Race 1 – 2nd, Race 2 – DNF
Davide Giugliano
Bike: Ducati Panigale R
Race number: 34
Age: 25 (Born 28/10/1989 in Rome, Italy)
Number of SBK races: 87
Number of wins: 0
Number of podiums: 9
Giugliano’s SBK track record at Laguna Seca
2014: Race 1 – 4th, Race 2 – DNF
2013: Race 1 – 6th, Race 2 – 2nd
