Chaz Davies reckons his Ducati team and Kawasaki are the teams to beat this World Superikes season.

The Knighton-born rider begins his title bid on Friday with first practice for the season opener at Phillip Island near Melbourne.

Davies is one of the favourites for the title along with reigning two-time champ Jonathan Rea and his Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes.

The 30-year-old said: “I think we have to wait and see, but I think the teams that will consistently have the best package will be us and Kawasaki.

“Aprilia was strong in the test but the thing for them, it will be interesting to see their form across the full season.

“For sure they are going to be fast, but with a new team, it’s a factory support team but not really full factory, maybe some races could be difficult for them.”

The season comprises 13 rounds and 26 races with World Superbikes chiefs looking to shake-up the grid and end the British domination.

From Saturday’s opening race, the top three on the grid will be demoted to the third row of the grid for the Sunday race.

In the past two seasons, 48 of the 52 races have been won by British riders – 16 of them by Davies.

Last season Davies won 11 races – two more than champ Rea – including the final six and seven of the last eight.

Rea has admitted he has used Davies’ storming finale as a motivating factor as he looks to become the first rider to win the Championship three years in a row.

“At the end of last season, we had to win a championship, but Chaz was dominant,” said the Ulsterman. “What he did was incredible.

“I took a lot of motivation from that in the off-season, I left no stone unturned in my preparation and I feel like I’m in the best shape ever.

“So I feel ready, but I don’t underestimate the challenge whatsoever.”
”Realistically, three to five guys could win the championship, so I needed to go and work my ass off in the off-season with my team and make sure I am prepared, because it could be the biggest challenge yet.”