Chaz Davies admitted he is still getting to grip with the track in Malaysia as he targets victory to boost his World Superbikes title challenge.

The Powys-born flier was eighth fastest in opening practice on the relaid track at Sepang yesterday.

But Davies is confident of improving on his pace i Saturday’s qualifying session before the opening race later in the day.

The 29-year-old said: “The track conditions were difficult and the new surface represents a challenge for everyone.

“At first there was hardly any grip and it was not easy to spot the areas that stayed wet, but we are all still finding our way.

“We simply need to work on the bike and improve the set-up.”

Davies has won four of the last six races to move within 35 points of reigning champ Jonathan Rea who was 10th fastest for Ducati yesterday.

The Ulsterman’s late lap left his team-mate Tom Sykes in 11th meaning the Yorkshireman missed out on going straight to Superpole 2.

But Sykes, the 2013 champ, said: “We sacrificed positions in qualifying to get pace over a race distance so it is not the end of the world.

“We just have to do three extra laps in Superpole but I think we are prepared better for the race now.”

Italy’s Lorenzo Savadori was the surprise pacesetter on the opening day.
Endig