Navarra circuit ‘really bumpy, narrow, but the layout is good’ - Davies

Chaz Davies becomes one of the first to test at the new for 2021 Navarra circuit as he concludes WorldSBK pre-season testing.

Robert Jones

07 May 2021

Navarra circuit ‘really bumpy, narrow, but the layout is good’ - Davies

Chaz Davies became one of the first WorldSBK riders to test at the new for 2021 Navarra circuit this week as he concluded pre-season testing for Team GoEleven Ducati.

Davies missed the first Ducati pre-season test at Misano back in March after a positive Covid-19 result, but the Welshman made up for any lost time on Tuesday-Thursday as he completed a double test at Aragon (2 days), and then Navarra (1 day).

In Aragon, Davies focused mainly on the front part of the bike and completing race simulations, while also working on qualifying tyre performance.

Speaking after the double test, Davies added: "These three days have been really really positive, I am very happy to have had the opportunity to be back to Aragon. Thanks to the Go Eleven Team for making that happen.

"It was good for us to work together again as a team for a couple more days on track and obviously to get a little bit more data ahead of the first race there in a couple of weeks. That was really positive!"

With Aragon hosting the season opener for the first time, and Davies’ impeccable record in Teruel - seven wins - the 34 year-old will surely be a contender for the podium places in two weeks time.

One circuit that won’t be as familiar for many on the grid is Navarra which makes its debut on the WorldSBK calendar. Davies was one of three Ducati riders to get a feel for the Los Arcos based venue along with former team-mate Scott Redding and Michael Ruben-Rinaldi.

"Then we moved to Navarra, it was really important to get in contact with this new circuit. It's a really bumpy and narrow one, but the layout is quite good, I enjoyed it," said Davies.

"We had no issues with weather, it has been a good training; in preparation for the season there is nothing quite like riding the Superbike.

"Overall I feel in a good place, but to be honest, I am ready to finish testing now and go to the first race. The next time we will be on track there will be a short term target and that's my favourite conditions."