Ducati’s Chaz Davies is feeling confident ahead of the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca today, and believes he has the race pace to compete for the podium. The Welshman starts from the front row – his second in succession, which he has hailed as ‘unusual’ but says the weekend is going to plan.

For Superpole two, Davies made two initial laps on the race tyre. After returning to the pits to put in the qualifying tyre, the British rider was able to complete two flying laps - the second in a time of 1’22.384.

This impressive rotation placed him third at the end of the hard-fought session, just behind Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes and Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli. Now a podium finish is the aim for the Powys-based rider.

“I’m pleased to secure another front row start, two in a row is a bit unusual for me but it’s especially important at a tight track like Laguna, so I’m very happy and am looking forward to two good races,” said Davies.

“We have good race pace I think, although there are maybe six riders who are looking strong so it won’t be easy, we’re all so close in terms of times. I’ll be aiming to get off the line as quickly as possible and push for the podium. The weekend has been going to plan so far, so we’ll be doing all we can to continue the positive trend.”