Source: Supplied.

Davide Giugliano is taking an optimistic approach into this weekend’s ninth round of the 2017 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Lausitzring, Germany, which will mark his debut with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike outfit.

Giugliano, who is racing in place of the late Nicky Hayden, is understood to be on a one-round deal with the team, which will also see him enter the WorldSBK series for the first time this year.

The Italian mentioned the key to this weekend is to work well with the team and to take a step-by-step approach with the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

“This is my first World Superbike race of the season, so of course there are some things I need to adjust back to,” Giugliano explained. “The most important thing for the round is to work well with the team and have a step-by-step approach with the bike, in order to keep improving in each and every session.

“The track is a unique one and hopefully the weather will be on our side, but in any case I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

The opening practice sessions are scheduled to get underway today at the German venue, with race one slated for tomorrow and race two pencilled in for Sunday.