Ducati’s Chaz Davies set the fastest lap of the wet second World Superbike race at Portimao this afternoon after adopting a ‘podium or crash’ attitude while trying to secure his third rostrum finish of the year ahead of Brit challengers Leon Haslam and Alex Lowes.

The Welshman took third podium of the year after a brave final circulation that saw him lap at 1'54.118 on lap 18 compared to race winner Jonathan Rea’s best of 1'55.703 and make sure neither Lowes or Haslam could come back pastl

“I thought, ‘F**k it’ it was was podium or crash. The bike was right on the ragged edge for the whole lap, it was moving and bucking but we managed to keep it upright and take the first wet weather podium,” said Davies, speaking to bikesportnews.com at Portimao.

“I have been working for this but I can’t take all the credit as the team have given me a great bike, and Davide (Giugliano, team-mate) is on the podium too but it is pleasing to be there again.”