Ducati’s Chaz Davies is not the happiest of riders this evening, as he feels that when he has improved the bike in one area, it hinders another part – and that was the case today, during the World Superbike qualifying session at Jerez.
The Welshman felt that the problem he had with lack of grip in the rear tyre has been solved, but now he feels that he has lost some feeling at the front. Davies made small set-up modifications throughout qualifying and also completed laps on the race tyre before heading back out with the qualifier.
Unfortunately a small mistake through the fastest corner caused him to lose valuable tenths, meaning that he concluded today’s Superpole with a best time of 1’41.199. This means that Davies starts from seventh on the grid.
“In order to improve grip at the rear it seems like I’m losing some of the feeling at the front of the bike so that’s been a bit challenging, as to improve in one area it feels as if we’re taking away from another,” said Davies.
“I’m a little disappointed with qualifying because I didn’t manage to put together a great lap, losing a few tenths when I ran wide through the fastest corner. If it hadn’t been for that I’d have been on the second row. Anyway, my lap times are good and I feel that the bike is working well so I think we can be in the mix tomorrow. We just need to see if we can find a compromise that gives me the best possible level of rear grip but, at the same time, also good front feeling.”
