News 29 Jan 2019

Davies still physically recovering from back twinge

Factory Ducati pilot focuses on key development in Portugal.

Image: Supplied.

Chaz Davies pushed through two days of testing at Portimao despite still physically recovering from a twinge in back sustained at Jerez’ test in Spain last week.

The British ace doesn’t believe the pain is the result from a crash on the opening day of testing in Spain, however it somewhat hindered him throughout the Portugal outing.

Still in the early stages of piloting the all-new Panigale V4 R, Davies wasn’t targeting a quicktime winding up 11th on the timehsheets, rather focusing on the development of the bike in the key chassis, engine and electronics areas.

“It’s been a couple of testing days in more ways than one,” Davies stated. “Physically I’m not really recovered from the twinge in the back I picked up in the Jerez test, so it hasn’t been the most comfortable time for me.

“On the flip side I’m very happy to have finished the test because I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but I did some good physio between the tests that allowed me to lap.

“Portimao is really important because it’s another track where we need to find a good base set-up for the V4 R, while I try and get fully acquainted with the bike. We’re not there yet and we’ll keep on working but I’m confident and looking forward to getting to Phillip Island for the opening round.”

The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider has less than a month to recover before he’s out on track again at Phillip Island on 18-19 February, which takes place one week prior to the season-opener at the iconic Australian venue.

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