An early exit put paid to a promising Saturday in Phillip Island for Alex Lowes after a turn two highside on his WorldSBK Kawasaki. Having recorded a 1’29.864 lap - his best at the 4.4km Australian circuit - during the morning’s dry Superpole qualifier, Lowes lined up in eighth for the 22 lap race.
Feeling confident of the improvements made after a lacklustre pre-season test, the British rider showcased increasing feeling with his Ninja ZX-10RR despite heavy rain impacting the action.
Immediately running in podium contention, Lowes dropped behind the pursuing Yamaha of Toprak Razgatlioglu on lap five before the Southern Loop claimed the number 22 with a heavy highside eight laps to the end. “I was happy with my lap time in Superpole qualifying,” Lowes explained from Phillip Island on Saturday afternoon. “It is so close and tight in WorldSBK now I knew it was going to be important, and it was also the first time that I have used the SC0s.
It wasn’t the best preparation but the lap I did in Superpole I was happy with. It is the best lap I have done here and the best I could do.“In the race, I felt great.