Davies: The back is not bothering me particularly

Ducati’s Chaz Davies admits the injuries he sustained to his back in a crash at Misano three weeks ago are not causing him too much grief, as he gears up for his return to action at the US World Superbike round.

Davies was forced to sit out the second race at Misano last month when he suffered a fracture to his back in a collision with Jonathan Rea on the Saturday.

The Ducati rider tucked the front of his Panigale going through the Carro hairpin on the final lap of race one while leading, and Rea was left with no place to go.

Since the accident Davies has been doing physiotherapy, and is feeling less and less discomfort from his injury. Confident he will be able to contest the eighth round of the season at Laguna Seca, Davies is now waiting for the official clearance from WorldSBK doctors.

“I’ve been doing physiotherapy everyday for the past two weeks, and my conditions have constantly improved,” he said.

“I feel generally pretty good, and the back is not bothering me particularly. We just need to wait for the official ‘thumbs up’ from the medical staff.

“Honestly, I can’t wait to ride again. It’s been a bit frustrating not to be able to train since Misano, but I didn’t want to make anything worse.

“I want to take advantage of the next few days to wake my body up again.”

Despite a lengthy period off his Panigale and with a lack of training, Davies realises he may not quite have the same level of physical endurance as his main rivals this weekend.

However, the double Laguna race winner believes he can fight at the front providing he and his team can set up the bike to allow him to exert himself less.

“Laguna Seca is a great track; it triggers many a great memories, and its atmosphere is fantastic.

“Maybe I’ll be a bit limited physically, but if we manage to find a comfortable set-up that allows the bike to hit the marks without forcing too much we can aim high, so I’m confident.

Davies comes into the US round 111 points adrift of championship leader Rea after his non-finish and non-start at Misano.