After a childhood spent racing minibikes, Davies became the youngest ever winner of a 125cc British Championship race in 2001. He joined the 125 Matteoni Racing Aprilia team in the World Championship the following year, and in 2003 he became the youngest rider to score points in the 125cc class. After a further season and a half as a privateer, Davies' team ran out of money and he was left without a ride. He then contested the US national supersport championship in 2007, and was presented with a golden opportunity to race a MotoGP bike when drafted in for injured rider Alex Hofmann at the USGP. His performance put him in the hotseat for a Pramac d'Antin ride for the remaining 3 races of the 2007 season after Hofmann left the team.