Chaz Davies has hinted he is ready to switch to MotoGP next year if he wins the World Superbikes crown this season.
The Knighton-born rider – who turned 30 recently – reckons now is the time to move to the premier series.
But Davies wants to make the switch having won the Superbikes title having finished runner-up in 2015 and third last year despite winning more races than anybody else.
“If I reach my goal of becoming world champion, I think that now is the perfect time to go to MotoGP,” said Davies, who competed in three MotoGP races in 2007 with Pramac.
“I don’t want to leave it too late and obviously an important thing for me as a rider is you want to challenge yourself and I feel like I’m the fastest rider in Superbike.
“The next challenge is the riders of MotoGP.
“Everybody looks at the young guys in MotoGP, but I know I am a much better rider than I was even two years ago – let alone five or 10 years ago.
“I’d love the opportunity and I think these years in my career are the best time.”
Davies has been linked with a move in the past with British MotoGP ace Cal Crutchlow – an ex-Superbikes rider – urging him to make the switch.
But the Ducati-rider will be keen to know he will move to a competitive bike rather than having to struggle on inferior machinery.
But Davies’ focus now is the opening round of the season at Phillip Island in Australia on February 24th after a final two day test on the track next week.
The Powys-rider is one of the favourites after dominating the end of last season winning the last six races and seven of the final eight.
But he still had to settle for third in the standings after Ulster’s Jonathan Rea retained his title from Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes, the 2013 champ.
“I need consistency and less zero point finishes,” said Davies, who failed to finish in the top five on five occasions last season compared to Rea’s two.
“And also a little bit of luck sometimes.
“In the past Jonny made some big mistakes in the races but stayed on the bike. That can change the season so quickly.
“In the last two seasons he made two or three big mistakes every year, so I think in some cases you need a little bit of luck.
“But I feel ease with what I have at the moment.
“I feel very comfortable with the package and everything, I didn’t crash for many months, not because I’m totally perfect with the bike, and I think that is really important for the consistency.
“I think the target on my back is big, but I am not the world champion.
“Being world champion is my target, and I think the biggest reference for everybody is Jonny, because he is a double world champion now.”