Chaz Davies fended off a fierce attack from team-mate Davide Giugliano to finish fourth in the World Superbikes race in Thailand on Saturday.

The Ducati duo battled with some incredibly close racing before the Italian slid off as he tried to chase down the Powys-born rider on the Chang International track.

Davies’ fourth place, 17 seconds down on the winner, left him fourth in the early title standings 36 points behind reigning champ Jonathan Rea.

But it is another decent haul of points for Davies who was second and 10th in the opening round in Australia last month after two fierce last lap battles with Rea.

The Ulsterman won Saturday’s race after his own hard fought battle with Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes who was second with Holland’s Michael van der Mark third.

The second race in Thailand is on Sunday morning.