Source: Ducati Corse.

It may have been wet and following a disastrous crash from race one, but Italian Davide Giugliano’s race two at Assen serves as a massive boost for the new-look factory Ducati Superbike Team entering Imola’s round of the Superbike World Championship.

Giugliano crashed out of race one early on after running wide, however his march to the podium in race two was well-timed with WSBK entering Ducati’s home round on 9-11 May.

“A very difficult race day; I could have done really well in the dry, we’d been fast all weekend, but unfortunately the crash in race one conditioned things somewhat, also physically-speaking,” he explained.

“Then the rain conditioned race two. It was difficult to maintain concentration after all that had happened and after the delay but in the end it all worked out well.

“We needed a podium, it was important for the team, for the sponsors, for the fans – it’s good for morale. Now we head to Imola, one of my favourite tracks, where I think we can do well.”

Ducati Superbike project director Ernesto Marinelli said it was an important result as Ducati continues to develop the race version of its Panigale 1199.

“This first podium is very important because it is the culmination of the great effort and hard work that the guys in Ducati Corse are putting in around the clock,” Marinelli said. “Davide made a very balanced second race, in difficult conditions, while also pushing hard.

“It was a pity that the small mistake in race one cost him dear. The Team has worked hard and has been able to be competitive also here at Assen, a sign that the direction we are taking is the right one. The first podium of 2014 has finally arrived and we must continue to work even harder to improve further.”

At the conclusion of this third championship round, Giugliano lies sixth in the standings with 59 points, while teammate Chaz Davies is seventh on 47.