Photography Gold & Goose
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati WSB) made an impressive initial comeback to WSBK action at his home event in Imola, having fractured two vertebrae at Phillip Island in winter testing ¾ injuries that made him miss the first four rounds of the season.
In his first ride since mid-February he blew everyone away with his pace in the first two practice sessions, finishing up third fastest overall and ahead of even his on-form team-mate Chaz Davies.
“I did not expect to come back so fast but I really wanted to go fast,” said an enthused Giugliano. “It was important that in my mind I wanted to go fast.”
Giugliano has not even had the benefit of a real training regime in the run-up to Imola, as his recovery called for rest and then physiotherapy, leaving him not quite match fit in general.
“I have no pain in my back but my muscles are tired now. I need more power and it was not possible to train in the gym for three months. Only physiotherapy, and six or seven times in a swimming pool. So that is not so good for endurance and it will make it more difficult on Sunday.”
