Chap Davies Retires
Discussion
Chaz Davies has announced his retirement from competitive racing.
I’ve followed him since his early days as a privateer in 125s, I’m not sure if his crash at the weekend and then seeing Tom Sykes in hospital helped his decision, but maybe it is his time?
Always like his style, all arms and legs reminded me of Reuben Xaus a lot!
I’ve followed him since his early days as a privateer in 125s, I’m not sure if his crash at the weekend and then seeing Tom Sykes in hospital helped his decision, but maybe it is his time?
Always like his style, all arms and legs reminded me of Reuben Xaus a lot!
It's a shame, he's always someone I like to see do well.
I also think he was an underused talent. He did really well on his guest rides on the Pramac Ducati (when it was an absolute dog of a bike, breaking down nearly every weekend - wasn't he in 12th at Laguna Seca when the chain fell off?), certainly better than most did. It always surprised me that when Casey Stoner made big in roads in GPs the guys that took it to him in the UK (Camier and Davies) weren't at least given some opportunity to progress alongside him. I'm not saying he'd have rivalled Stoner, but I do think that nurtured in the right environment he'd have been nearer than a lot of people who were given the opportunity were. Chaz is another one of those UK riders that seemed to get the wrong rides and the wrong times.
I also think he was an underused talent. He did really well on his guest rides on the Pramac Ducati (when it was an absolute dog of a bike, breaking down nearly every weekend - wasn't he in 12th at Laguna Seca when the chain fell off?), certainly better than most did. It always surprised me that when Casey Stoner made big in roads in GPs the guys that took it to him in the UK (Camier and Davies) weren't at least given some opportunity to progress alongside him. I'm not saying he'd have rivalled Stoner, but I do think that nurtured in the right environment he'd have been nearer than a lot of people who were given the opportunity were. Chaz is another one of those UK riders that seemed to get the wrong rides and the wrong times.
He seemed to have a ridiculous riding style that put immense pressure on the front end of his bikes, when it worked it was amazing, and it did for a few years, but he crashed a little often and that sort of setup demands an extreme bike setup I think and wrecks tyres.
I always found him a great guy, a massive talent, rode in 250's for chuff all and did amazingly well on years old bikes but his passport kept him away from decent rides a la Jay Vincent McWilliams in period, disappeared for a while then came back in WSS, rode brilliantly and did the same in SBK, a it hit and miss but I vet we see him in AMA or BSB in the future, I hope so anyway, deserves a title, could easily see Birdy picking him up for sure.
I always found him a great guy, a massive talent, rode in 250's for chuff all and did amazingly well on years old bikes but his passport kept him away from decent rides a la Jay Vincent McWilliams in period, disappeared for a while then came back in WSS, rode brilliantly and did the same in SBK, a it hit and miss but I vet we see him in AMA or BSB in the future, I hope so anyway, deserves a title, could easily see Birdy picking him up for sure.
Struggling to find a ride for next year, not had a great season on the satellite Ducati. I think the main reason is that Laverty has just announced the Moto3 team and he and Chaz are very close and brothers-in-law. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s going to be part of that set up.
Mr Tidy said:
That's a shame but I'm sure he has his reasons.
Having so many competitive British riders was one of the attractions of WSB for me!
He wasn’t one of the competitive ones this year though. He’s been well off the pace, other than at the very beginning. Having so many competitive British riders was one of the attractions of WSB for me!
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