Chaz Davies reckons he has laid solid foundations as he starts to focus on a World Superbikes title bid in 2017.

The Knighton-born rider racked up 184 laps this week in the final test for Ducati at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.

Davies will next be back in action in the first test of next season in Jerez on January 24-25.

The 29-year-old said: “It’s been a good test.

“We’ve been quite lucky with the weather overall and we’ve gone fast, setting good lap times given that our bike is not that much different but our pace has taken a step forward compared with last winter’s tests and the race here.

“I never broke the one minute 40 seconds mark before but set a 1:39.1 on Thursday, and I still feel like we’re leaving four or five tenths out there.

“On the last day, we lapped quite a lot in the wet, gathering some good indications even though track conditions can change quickly here.

“Now we will keep working on the new parts and overall balance, but our base package is solid.”

Davies won the last six races of the 2016 season to finish third in the championship standings, but will be confident of challenging for the title next year.