Loris Baz will return to WorldSBK competition at Jerez this weekend as he stands in for the injured Chaz Davies at Go Eleven Ducati.

Davies sustained two broken ribs during Sunday’s Superpole race after a collision with Puccetti Racing’s Lucas Mahias, with Baz stepping in while the Welshman recovers, for the two back-to-back races in Spain and Portugal in the coming weeks.

Baz was last seen on WorldSBK machinery in 2020 when he formed part of the Ten Kate Yamaha squad, with the Frenchman switching to MotoAmerica for 2021. With a season aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R now under his belt across the pond - where he claimed nine podiums in his rookie year on his way to fourth overall - he returns to the championship he knows so well.

“First of all I want to wish Chaz a quick recovery, it’s never nice when a rider has an injury and I hope he gets back on the bike soon,” Baz said from America ahead of his European return. “I thank Team Go Eleven for the opportunity given, as well as Ducati and my team in America, HSBK, and Ducati New York, for letting me come back to Europe earlier than expected to be able to participate in the next WorldSBK races.

“It was a last-minute deal, I still have to fix everything to take the flight, but I can’t wait to be in Jerez, a track I really like, and get on the Superbike version of the Ducati V4-R. I’ll do my best and give 100% as always!”

“I just spoke with Chaz, he’s fine, but he’s angry at not being able to be with us on the track,” Denis Sacchetti, Team GoEleven Team Manager, added. “Now his goal is to recover as soon as possible for the season finale.

“I’m sure Loris will be able to hold our flag high. He has already demonstrated what he is capable of. He is a strong, fast rider, he has a lot of experience although he is still very young, and he also knows the characteristics of the V4 R, a bike with which he has just raced in the American championship. I want to thank Loris for having accepted this new challenge I can’t wait to see him on the track with our colours!”