Chaz Davies made a storming start to the World Superbikes race in Italy to grab another podium finish.

The Knighton-born rider blasted from seventh on the grid at Misano to fourth when the lights went out.

Davies then passed Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes before taking advantage when Eugene Laverty drifted wide to move into second just over five laps from the finish.

The Ducati rider eventually came home just under three seconds behind reigning three-time champ Jonathan Rea who extended his all-time win record to 63.

Davies is now 80 points behind the Ulsterman going into Sunday’s race at Ducati’s home track which he will start eighth, just ahead of Rea.

The 31-year-old said: “It’s a good result, but I am still missing that little bit something extra.

“The others seemed to get away from me with the fresh tyres, but as the tyres got older they seemed to come back to me.

“It was good to overtake Eugene, he gave me an opportunity so I’m grateful for that.

“It was very hot out there, the hottest temperatures of the year.”

Rea had started second on the grid but blasted away from Kawasaki team-mate and pole winner Tom Sykes at the start of the 21-lap race.

The title pacesetter dominated from then with a flawless display to move closer to a fourth straight riders’ crown.