Superbike, Motul Italian Round, Race 2: Davies completes an extraordinary double

It should have been the perfect weekend for Ducati on the home track of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola and it was thanks to Chaz Davies who closed with today's victory a round in which he has practically always dominated: pole position, lap fast and two victories that give some breathing space to his season.
Starting from the ninth spot on the grid due to this year's regulation change, he built an incredible comeback so much so that after just 5 laps he was already the solo leader.

Unfortunately for the Welsh rider, Jonathan Rea is still there, in second place, but the satisfaction for Ducati must go beyond the few points gained in the standings: the Panigale was the best bike of the weekend, significantly more competitive than the other outings in this season and compared to the Ninja seen in these three days.
If the riders' title is already difficult by now, the constructors' title is easily within the reach of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: in this sense Melandri's podium was also important, third yesterday and unfortunately in difficulty today, overtaken by the Panigale of Xavi Fores' Team Barni for fourth place.

The race was complicated: interrupted less than two laps from the start due to oil leaking on the track from the Kawasaki of Badovini's Team Grillini, it restarted after almost half an hour with the positions on the track at red flags, over a distance of 18 laps.
Sykes once again started very well from pole followed by Leon Camier, while Jonathan Rea struggled to find the right rhythm and found a combative Melandri in his way.
Precisely during the duel with the rider from Ravenna, the reigning champion made a small mistake by cutting a chicane and ending up in orbit in fifth position for a few laps.
After just two laps Leon Camier was forced to abandon the race due to a fall while trying to chase Tom Sykes for first position: rider ok but understandably angry at having thrown away a good opportunity.

As the laps went by, Davies acquired greater pace and confidence: with 12 to go the decisive overtake occurred on Tom Sykes who initially tried not to lose sight of the Ducati rider but also had to deal with the comeback by Jonathan Rea, who defeated his teammate and crossed the finish line easily in second place.
Fourth we find Xavi Fores, author of a truly consistent weekend who also managed to keep Marco Melandri's official Panigale behind him, a little disappointed at the end of the race for not having given another podium to Ducati and its fans.
In sixth and seventh positions we find Alex Lowes and Eugene Laverty, who demonstrated that he has recovered very well from today's fall and confirms himself as the first Aprilia at the finish line.
Also excellent was the eighth place of Jordi Torres, Spanish rider of the Althea Racing BMW Team, who was unable to take part in the race yesterday due to gastroenteritis, followed by Van der Mark with the other Yamaha R1 and Leandro Mercado, with the RSV4 Aprilia of Team Iodarcing.

In the world championship standings Jonathan Rea is still the leader with 235 points, 74 more than Chaz Davies who is second by one point over Tom Sykes, third with 160.
The next appointment is scheduled in two weeks, 26-28 May, on the Donington track for the eagerly awaited round in the UK, the home race for many protagonists of the Championship.

Below is the finishing order for Race 2:
1. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 18 laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R +3.739s
3. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R +4.342s
4. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati 1199R +14.441s
5. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R +14.596s
6. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 +32.214s
7. Eugene Laverty IRE Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4 +33.919s
8. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR +35.932s
9. Michael van der Mark NED PATA Yamaha YZF-R1 +36.099s
10. Leandro Mercado ARG IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 +37.621s
11. Roman Ramos ESP Team Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R +40.395s
12. Nicky Hayden USA Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR SP2 +43.738s
13. Lorenzo Savadori ITA Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4 +48.589s
14. Stefan Bradl GER Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR SP2 +54.649s
15. Randy Krummenacher SWI Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-10R +54.916s
16. Raffaele De Rosa ITA Althea BMW S1000RR +56.434s
17. Ondrej Jezek CZE Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1m 00.000s

Did not finish
Riccardo Russo ITA Guandalini Yamaha YZF-R1
Alex de Angelis SMR Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R
Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR

Did not start
Ayrton Badovini ITA Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R