Chaz Davies is hoping for an improved showing in Sunday’s second World Superbikes race at Donington Park after missing out in the first race.
The Knighton-born rider finished eighth to slip further behind title pacesetter Jonathan Rea having lost vital track time in his crash during practice.
Davies is still second in the standings but 59 points behind the reigning three-time champ who was second on Saturday as Michael van der Mark became the first Dutchman to win in the series.
The 31-year-old was lying 10th for much of the 23 lap race on the Leicestershire track but benefitted from a last lap collision.
That lifted the aruba it Racing Ducati rider up to eighth but he will be hoping to challenge for a podium on Sunday.
Davies, who started 10th on a track where his best result is third, said: ”I entered the race with good confidence despite the grid position.
“I thought we could have a shot at the podium but unfortunately it’s been a difficult one.
“We struggled to get the feeling that I wanted, obviously the crash didn’t help as it reduced our time on track, but I expected to make bigger steps forward.
“We didn’t have much grip so it was a case of just getting the best out of it, which meant riding as smoothly as possible.
“Things change pretty quickly in this game, so hopefully we’ll be able to turn things around ahead of Sunday.”
Davies 2018 Results
Rd 1: Australia (Phillip Island) Qualified: 5th
Race 1: 3rd Race 2: DNF (crash)
Championship Position: 7th – 16 points (1st Marco Melandri 50points)
Rd 2: Thailand (Buriram) Qual: 9th
Race 1: 3rd Race 2: 1st
Champ Pos: 4th – 57 pts (1st Jonathan Rea – 69pts)
Rd 3; Aragon (spain) Qual: 11th
Race 1 (Restarted) 2nd Race 2: 1st
Champ Pos: 2nd – 102 pts (1st Rea – 114pts)
Rd 4: Dutch (Assen) Qual: 8th
Race 1: 3rd Race 2: 5th
Champ Pos: 2nd – 129 pts (1st Rea – 159pts)
Rd 5: Italian (Imola) Qual: 3rd.
Race 1: 4th Race 2: 2nd
Champ Pos: 2nd 162 pts (1st Rea – 209pts)
Rd 6: GB (Donington Park) Qual: 10th
Race 1: 8th
Champ Pos: 2nd 170 pts (1st Rea – 229pts)