Davies charges to first 2018 win in Thailand

Chaz Davies carved through the opposition in Thailand, putting in a vintage performance to take his first victory of the 2018 campaign. The Ducati ace started from 7th on the grid, following his first podium in 2018 in race one, to take the lead with 13 laps to go, after slipping as far down as eighth on the opening lap.

The Welshman became the first rider ever to win a race at the Chang International Circuit who wasn’t on a Ducati. It was the first race in Asia since Sepang race one in 2014 that did not feature a Kawasaki on the podium. With both Yamaha riders on the podium, it became the first time Yamaha had two riders on the podium in a round outside of Europe since Sugo in 1996, when Noriyuki Haga and Wataru Yoshikawa finished 2nd and 3rd.

“It was a fantastic race, something special. To come away with a win here makes me so happy. At Buriram we’ve always struggled in the past, it’s been a long process to get into a race winning position,” began a jubilant Davies, becoming the third winner from four races in 2018.

“I want to thank the whole team because they’ve given me such a great bike today. The Panigale R was working really well, we found a little bit more consistency and I could be more adaptable with the bike.

“It was quite hectic out there but, if you can get through it OK, it’s so much fun. Our package is competitive and in Europe it will be like starting from zero. I’m looking forward to Aragon,” concluded the double-WSBK runner-up.

Davies now moves up to fourth in the Championship standings, although he remains behind teammate Marco Melandri, who is second, whilst Spaniard and Independent team rider Xavi Fores occupies third.

The next round of the championship is from Aragon, which becomes the sole Spanish round in 2018. Chaz Davies has won there six times, of which four have come on a Ducati. Davies is the only rider to achieve a double at Aragon on two different manufacturers too, with BMW in 2013 and Ducati in 2016.