Chaz Davies bags podium after crash setback
Chaz Davies bounced back from a crash in the opening World Superbike race to claim a podium in the second during his home round.
British riders completely dominated round six at the sun-scorched Donington Park over the weekend, which also saw Bridgnorth-based rider Michael Rutter in National Superstock 1000 on the undercard before heading to the Isle of Man TT.
Davies was hoping to build on his impressive double victory in Italy and was looking good for another win until crashing on lap seven before rejoining to finish eighth.
He said: “I was disappointed for the crash because we had a really good pace at the start of the race.
“We lacked stability but the crew worked hard overnight and I was able to push hard at the front and stress our rivals a bit.
“Unfortunately, I made a mistake in the last corner, which is quite bumpy. I let go the front brake a little too quickly and the front unloaded too fast.”
Davies then showed real grit and determination in race two on Sunday to close the gap on third-placed Michael van der Mark and steal the final podium place. The delighted home fans watched as the Mid Wales star mounted a memorable comeback from 17th position after being forced to go off the track in the early laps, to avoid a rider who crashed in front of him, to take third place behind the Kawasaki pair of Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Rea and England’s Tom Sykes.
Davies said: “Towards the end, when I was getting closer to Van der Mark, I didn’t have great grip because I had to stress the rear a lot to come back through the field.
“I just dug in, trying not to make mistakes and figure out where to pass really quickly.
“It was close racing. Anyway, I’m confident for the rest of the season because this track has always been difficult for us.”
The result leaves Davies third in the championship, behind Rea and Sykes.
Rounds seven and eight of the National Superstock 1000 Championship were also held. The 100-mile race was split into two 18-lappers with a break in between to refuel and change tyres.
Rutter, riding his Bathams SMT BMW, made up two places, running in third when on the final lap of the final corner Goddards he nearly crashed with James Rispoli.
The move ended Rispoli’s race but Rutter was able to stay up on the grass despite losing valuable places, crossing the line in fifth.
Race two saw him start from sixth, a position he maintained for most the race, which moved him to joint fifth in the championship.
