Chaz Davies remains cautiously optimistic heading to Misano with Aruba.it Racing Ducati having been confident of finding a setup breakthrough with his V4 R but warns “we’re not under any illusions that it’s going to be particularly easy”.

The Welsh rider was involved in a controversial clash with former team-mate Marco Melandri in the final race of the Jerez round but is eager to move on from the incident with a strong showing on Ducati home territory at Misano.

Despite a mid-season test at the Italian circuit last month, Davies is bracing for a tough weekend but remains upbeat having made progress in the second Jerez race fighting for a podium before going down with Melandri.

“We tested at Misano before Jerez, but conditions were a lot different to what we expect this weekend, so we’re not under any illusions that it’s going to be particularly easy there,” Davies said. “Despite the results, I feel like with the knowledge from Jerez, we made a little step forward.

“We finally found something in the longer and faster corners which Misano also has so I’ve got to be optimistic.

“Before the crash, I was in the fight for the podium again so I feel it’s getting better. It’s still taking longer than I would have liked to get to grips with the Panigale V4 R but hopefully from Misano we can keep progressing.”

Davies has just one podium to his name at Misano in his World Superbike career, third place in 2015’s Race 1, while his last podium came at the other Italian round on the calendar, Imola, where he finished in second place in the Superpole race.