Le Mans 24-hour: Davies out due to illness

Ducati’s Chaz Davies was set for his first taste of endurance racing this weekend at the Le Mans 24-hour but it was not to be.

Davies, three-time runner up in WorldSBK, was due to step in as a replacement for Lorenzo Zanetti at ERC Endurance-Ducati after the Italian was injured during the first round of the CIV. With the 35-year-old lining up alongside Xavi Fores, David Checa and Marc Moser for the season opener.

The Welshman, however, contracted a virus after round one of the Superbike World Championship at Motorland Aragon, where he remains as rider coach to the Aruba.it Ducati team. While not Covid-19, Davies was hit hard by the illness and therefore forced to pull out of this weekend’s action.

“As you may have seen, I was supposed to take part in the 24 hour of Le Mans endurance race this weekend with the ERC endurance team, on their Ducati V4,” Davies said on social media.

“Unfortunately, just after last weekend I’ve been struck down with a virus and I’ve been pretty floored by it to be honest. I’ve not been feeling too good at all. It’s not Covid which is a positive but regardless, I don’t feel too hot.

“Yesterday, I had to confirm my withdrawal from the race, which was hugely disappointing. I really was looking forward to getting a taste of endurance racing, but it’s gonna have to wait to another day. I’ll be watching from here on the sofa and best wishes to the ERC endurance team and everybody else who’s doing the race. I’ll be watching and stay safe.”