Where to for Davies in WSBK?

Chaz Davies’ dumping from the factory Aruba.it Ducati team on the eve of this year’s season finale at Estoril has left the experienced rider in limbo, with the possibility he may sit out the 2021 season.

A multiple race winner and Jonathan Rea’s most consistent challenger over the past six years, Davies would rightly feel hard done by following Ducati’s decision to replace him with Michael Ruben Rinaldi for next year.

However, the reality is that the Welshman has also been comprehensively outperformed by his team mates in the past two seasons – Scott Redding this year and Alvaro Bautista in 2019.

Luigi Dall' Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, extended the usual platitudes to Davies on his departure, but said “the time had come” for Rinaldi to step up to a full factory team.
"We believe that the time has come for (Rinaldi) to join the official team and we are convinced that he has a bright future ahead of him,” Dall’Igna said.

“I want to thank Chaz, who has been an excellent ambassador for our brand over the past seven years and has achieved some very important results with us: 27 victories plus another 59 podiums finish and three consecutive second places in the world championships."

Somewhat ironically, Davies won his last race for the official Ducati team at Estoril in October.

Adamant he deserves better than a satellite bike, especially given his results in the second half of this season, Davies may have to swallow his pride to stay in the championship, as all of the factory seats are already occupied for 2021.

A new satellite BMW team that’s tipped to come into the category next year may give the 33-year-old a lifeline, with the only other opportunities at satellite Ducati and Kawasaki teams.

At time of writing, Davies’ future had yet to be confirmed.

Photo Credit

Photos: Russell Colvin