By Ian Gordon

Chaz Davies is confident of fighting for the World Superbikes crown when he launches his campaign in Australia later this month.

The Knighton-born rider finished runner-up to Ulsterman Jonathan Rea last year but is hopeful his Ducati bike will be even better this year.

Davies, 29, won five races last season and made 13 other podium appearances including claiming the team’s first win of the year in Spain.

The Powys-flier said: “It meant everything to win on the Panigale R last year.

“I wanted to get that victory more than anything else compared to seasons past.

“To race for Ducati and take a bike that hasn’t been at the top to the top with the support of everybody at Ducati and Aruba that was the start of a great season.

“From the middle part of last season I got a really true base setting and enjoyed riding it and improving every race weekend.

“It proved we didn’t have to change much on the bike and I could concentrate on myself.

“That has continued through the winter and we have found a level where we are really, really consistent and we are looking to translate it into results this season.”

Davies, who will ride for the Aruba team, added: “I’ve got a good feeling.

|We’ve taken important steps to improve and aim to win races in the last laps.

|That is the key to what we’ve been working on in the winter and I really believe we’ve taken the necessary steps to give ourselves the best chance to fight for the wins.”

Davies gets his season underway at Phillip Island near Melbourne on February 28th after a test at the Australian track.