Sam Lowes: “I want MotoGP, but not with Aprilia”

Brit Sam Lowes surprised the world when he stoically raced in the final Portimao GP with a double fracture of the right hand, reaching the third step of the podium.

A result that wasn’t enough to secure the Moto2 title, which went to Enea Bastianini, but that underlined his ability to ride through the pain barrier. A few days since that final race, Sam Lowes talks about the Portuguese GP.

“During the race things weren’t too bad because I had painkillers and the adrenaline but once I crossed the line it was really painful”, he tells website LincolnshireLive.com.

“I just lacked a little strength in the last five or six laps. If it had been a normal race, it would have been difficult, but with the adrenaline, the championship, with it being the last round, all that got me through”, says Lowes, the first to be surprised by his result.

“I was surprised to get through and do a good race. Podiums in Grand Prix are difficult to get anyway. I said to my guys before the race that I had no idea what pace I could do, I was just going to do the race and see.”

Fast and consistent

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When asked about his season, Sam Lowes appears quite pleased.

“It’s been a good year. I’ve been lucky in some ways and unlucky in others. I’m really happy to be back at the front. After coming back from MotoGP, it didn’t go how I thought it would go. (Lowes returned to Moto2 in 2018 after a year in the reigning class with Aprilia).

“This year, things have changed a lot and I’ve changed my attitude with working with such a good team. And I’ve always been fast. Even in the past few years, I’ve been fast at certain points, I’ve just not put it together for the full year. I’ve massively gained in confidence. I’ve put my efforts into the right things rather than worrying about things I can’t control”, explains Lowes.

“I’ve changed my riding style a bit, which I had to do for this Triumph engine. I feel positive and like I can improve again this winter.”

MotoGP goal

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And while this year's aim was to be competitive after a couple of tough seasons, after finishing third overall Lowes is now aiming for the Moto2 title.

“Now I can openly say that next year I want to fight for the championship. I think that’s realistic. That’s the focus. I’ve been to MotoGP and done one year, not a successful one. My first goal is to win the Moto2 championship. If I do that, then I deserve a good ride in MotoGP.

“If I could go there with a good team, on a good bike, then I would do it. I wouldn’t go back there with Aprilia for example”, concludes Sam Lowes who, during his GP season with the Italian manufacturer, scored just 5 points, a thirteenth-place finish his best result.

Translated by Heather Watson

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