The Italian round of the WorldSBK season marks the end of the opening third of the season, but it’s hard to see how it marks the end of Chaz Davies’ dominance at the Imola circuit.
The Welshman has been a wizard around the technical circuit in recent years, and been unbeatable. Having fallen 30 points adrift of Jonathan Rea in the standings, he will know that this weekend it is crucial to chip into the Northern Irishman’s title lead.
Can Yamaha Maintain Their Progress?
One of the biggest stories of the Dutch Round of WorldSBK was the performance of Yamaha. With Alex Lowes claiming his first career pole position, and Michael van der Mark standing on the podium for both races, it was clear that the R1 has become a front running machine.
This weekend at Imola is a very different proposition, with Imola having been a difficult track for the R1, with two sixth-position finishes the highlight since their return to WorldSBK in 2016.
For both riders, the key will be to build on the positives from the previous round.
Riders Returning from Injury
The injuries sustained by Eugene Laverty and Leon Camier in recent rounds were significant, but it is very encouraging that both riders are looking to return this weekend.
They will undertake fitness tests at the Italian circuit on Thursday, but both are planning on racing this weekend. It’s important for Laverty to ride so that he can demonstrate the improvements that Aprilia has made.
With the team potentially using a new specification of engine this weekend, Laverty will also be able to give valuable feedback. Camier is less certain to ride, but his desire is definitely to be back on the grid, having missed the previous round.
Sykes Looks to Build on his Assen Success
Having claimed his first win of the season in Race 2 at Assen, Tom Sykes will feel a weight off his shoulders as he lands in Italy. Also playing into his positive frame of mind will be that no one has more podiums at Imola than the 2013 World Champion.
Sykes has stood on the rostrum for the past six years and scored two wins. Sitting fifth in the standings, he’ll know that he has absolutely no margin for the rest of the season, and that winning races is the only chance the Kawasaki rider has to claim another title.
To do that the gloves will have to come in a bar-to-bar fight with the likes of Davies and Rea in the coming rounds. It’s gut-check time for the Number 66 machine.
Photo: WorldSBK
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