Davies earns first podium finish

Davies (57) wants to ride superbikes

Herefordshire rider Chaz Davies recorded the first podium finish of the 2009 AMA series when finishing second at Laguna Seca.

Davies was delighted by the efforts of his KWS Motorsport team who had worked hard to make the bike more competitive.

"The bike is a million miles from where it was at Daytona and I am very excited about the next four rounds," he said.

"The guys put in a monumental effort and our goal is to win a race before the season is over."

He admits expectation levels within the team were not high at the start of the season as it was a brand new venture and it was felt they would be playing catch-up for much of the season.

The second-place finish was something of a bonus as during a recent visit home Chaz told BBC Hereford and Worcester this season was more about laying the foundations for the 2010 season.

"Aprillia have got this new superbike that has only just been launched in America," he said.

"So the plan next year is to go and race that bike, so this is more about the long-term deal than anything else.

"This year is about Aprillia getting their foot in the door with the smaller class."

Davies feels he is now established on the American racing scene and is looking to step up to the next level.

I just want to be riding superbikes as I feel my size and build is more suited to that

Chaz Davies

"It is really impressive so I am looking forward to getting my hands on that," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I am at a stage now where I really want to be riding superbikes as I have been riding 600s for three years and before that it was 250s and a bit of MotoGP.

"I just want to be riding superbikes as I feel my size and build is more suited to that."

The second-place finish at Laguna Seca will clearly give everyone in the team a lift and he is hopeful this will provide them with momentum they need for the inevitable step-up in class for next season.

He feels he has benefited from another season on the US circuit.

He said: "Last year I was living out of a suitcase and travelling from race to race, but this year I am probably coming home less as I am living with Josh Hayes, who is a friend of mine.

"I used to race against him but he is racing superbikes this year, so I am living with him and we are having a lot of fun so things go really quickly.

"We go cycling every day and it's only two blocks from the beach, although I think the last time I was over there in eight weeks we went to the beach twice."