MotoGP: Chaz Davies confirmed for Ducati MotoGP ride at Motegi

Chaz Davies will ride a factory-backed D’Antin Ducati at Motegi this weekend at the Japanese MotoGP.

The chance of a ride as a stand-in came after the team sacked German rider Alex Hofmann on Sunday night after he pulled out of the Estoril MotoGP.

We spoke to Chaz Davies moments ago in California, and he said: “Yes, it’s happening. I’m trying not to put any pressure on myself, I really want to go out there and enjoy myself and learn whatever I can about the bike.

“It’s all been a bit of a rush, and I didn’t realise at first the Japanese race was the weekend straight after Portugal. I have been to the track before but it was on a 250 and it’s a difficult track to know well.”

Chaz Davies tested the D’Antin bike last week for two days at the Mugello track in Italy.

Davies added: “The bike feels new to me every time I ride it but I just want to find out as much as I can about the bike and the track.”

Team boss Luis D’Antin told MCN: “We are really pleased about getting Chaz, we had a very good experience with him when he rode for us before. We will decide soon what will happen for the remaining races of this year.”

Chaz Davies also completed a two-day test session in Mugello last week. There are four races of the season remaining in Japan, Malaysia, Australia and Spain, and Davies could be called onto race at the remainder of the season.