Chaz Davies got his World Superbikes campaign off to a flier with third place in Australia on Saturday.

The Knighton-born rider shrugged off his problems during the winter to grab a podium spot at Phillip Island.

Davies had been hampered by a big crash in Spain last November which left him with knee and shoulder injuries.

But he produced a storming finish to the first race to take third having been sixth at one stage as his Ducati team-mate Marco Melandri won from Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes.

And Davies – who has finished runner-up in the Championship in two of the last three years – is now relishing Sunday’s second race.

Reigning three-time champ Jonathan Rea was back in fifth on his Kawasaki.

The 30-year-old, who started fifth as Sykes took the first pole of the season, said: “I’m really happy with this result.

“It’s been a tough winter, so it’s great to start the season on the podium. The race itself was different than usual here, everybody pushed hard from the very beginning.

“I had a fun battle with Forés and I didn’t expect Rea to have whatever problem he ran into and drop back, but I seized the opportunity when it came.

“This morning I had a great feeling on used tires, but in the race we struggled a bit more, especially with the left side of the tire, and the bike moved a bit too much.

“Otherwise, I think we could have fought at the top. We’ve been improving session by session, and I’m happy with the bike now. The goal is to fight for the win tomorrow.”

 

Stefano Cecconi, Aruba CEO and Team Principal said: “There couldn’t have been a better way to start the season.
“Marco showed once again his competitiveness on this track, taking advantage of one year of experience with the Panigale R to clinch an extraordinary win.

“Chaz rode a smart race, finishing strong to take a podium that gives us hope after a winter break made more complicated by injuries. We want to achieve great results once more tomorrow with both our riders.”