Superbike, Motul Thai Round, Race 2: Aruba Racing Ducati smiles halfway

At the end of the Motul Thai Round at the end of the Motul Thai Round, Ducati may be deciding whether the proverbial glass is half full or half empty: after Davies' second place in Race 1 and the podium missed by Marco Melandri on the last lap, in in the second race the Aruba team celebrated the third position of the Ravenna rider, even if they once again had to suffer the mockery of being overtaken at the last corner by Sykes, but on the other hand they had a difficult race with Davies.

The Welshman actually slipped at turn 3 at the start of the second heat, but was immediately able to get back on track: this fortunately allowed him to take part in the second start, albeit from the last spot on the grid.
Davies led a comeback race, stopping in sixth position, also thanks to the technical problems suffered by Laverty with the Aprilia and Camier with the MV Agusta.

Both Ducati riders, however, declared at the end of the race that they had had some problems with their Panigales, with Melandri on the brakes and Davies in control of the throttle: there will therefore be some work to do for the team in view of the Aragon round in three weeks.

“It was a great weekend because with these conditions it was very difficult for me and I had never been here before; being close to the best riders is always a good feeling” – he said Marco Melandri – “Having the same finish, being overtaken at the last corner, is not very nice, but I had difficulties with the brakes since the first free practice, so for me it was complicated to be more aggressive with Tom on the last lap. The team did a great job, we have to work to catch up with the Kawasaki riders, but I hope Aragon will be another story."

“I honestly think we should have been closer to the podium at the second start. We had a problem due to some parts that were replaced after the crash and because of this I had problems with the throttle control" – he declared Chaz Davies – “As soon as I came out of the first corner of the second lap I knew it was going to be a long race, so sixth place is good considering everything. It would have been nice to have a normal bike for the second start, but we have to keep working, our rivals will be strong, what we expected. We know we can push at Aragon."