Superbike, Geico US Round, Race 1: Chaz Davies triumphs in Laguna

Chaz Davies takes the victory in the first race of the eighth event of the season, at the Madza RaceWay in Laguna Seca, thanks to a sensational overtaking on Tom Sykes at the "Corkscrew" during the 12th lap, i.e. half the race.

The Welsh Ducati rider, returning after the bad injury suffered in the first race at Misano, was the author of a great race: starting from third place on the grid, he outwitted Rea at the start and immediately started chasing Sykes, started from pole.
Davies managed to get the better of the Kawasaki rider right at the most difficult and evocative point, the "Corkscrew" curve, the scene of memorable overtaking, and then well controlled the attacks of Jonathan Rea, who took advantage of the Davies-Sykes duel to gain the better of his teammate.
Sykes, for his part, having suffered the double overtaking, was no longer able to recover, settling for third place which currently means -54 points in the world championship standings from leader Rea.
A fairly anonymous race for Marco Melandri who, starting fourth, easily maintained his position, but never managed to get close to the leading trio.
The choice of tires was decisive, with the Italian fitting soft solutions on his Panigale, in tricolor livery for the presentation of the Panigale Final Edition, against the Kawasakis who opted for mediums, and Davies choosing mediums for the rear and the soft at the front.

Fourth place for Xavi Fores followed by Leon Camier, who showed good pace on a track that does not penalize his MV Agusta due to the power gap, Jordi Torres.
Michael Van der Mark partially saved the day for Yamaha with his eighth place, given that ALex Lowes had to abandon the race on the seventh lap due to a fall: both riders have so far complained about a lack of feeling when entering corners, which does not allow them to push hard.
Leandro Mercado and Lorenzo Savadori complete the top team with the Aprilias of Team Iodaracing and Team Milwaukee respectively.

Next appointment: tomorrow at 23pm, Italian time, with the start of Race 2.

Below is the finishing order of Race 1 of the Geico Us Round:

1. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R 25 laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR +1.202s
3. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR +5.789s
4. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R +17.574s
5. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati Panigale R +21.159s
6. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR +23.016s
7. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR +31.986s
8. Michael van der Mark NED PATA Yamaha YZF-R1 +32.933s
9. Leandro Mercado ARG IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 +35.936s
10. Lorenzo Savadori ITA Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4 +36.912s
11. Stefan Bradl GER Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR SP2 +44.961s
12. Roman Ramos ESP Team Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R +45.203s
13. Raffaele De Rosa ITA Althea BMW S1000RR +45.901s
14. Alex de Angelis SMR Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +46.043s
15. Jake Gagne USA Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR SP2 +46.805s
16. Ayrton Badovini ITA Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +54.463s
17. Randy Krummenacher SWI Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-10RR +56.989s
18. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Yamaha YZF-R1 +1m+
19. Ondrej Jezek CZE Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +1m+

Did not finish:

Eugene Laverty IRE Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4
Alex Lowes GBR PATA Yamaha R1