MotoGP Buriram: Lowes has ‘first enjoyable day since June’

Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes continued his Moto2 rehabilitation at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand on Friday.

Using the opening day’s two 40-minute free practice sessions to find a comfortable position on the bike again after missing five races due to left shoulder and upper arm injuries, Lowes worked with his team on suspension and gearing settings.

Improving his personal best by a second as he got up to speed, the Englishman showed good potential before finishing the day 23rd in the combined times. His fastest lap of 1’37.473 just 1.193s off countryman Jake Dixon.

“Today was okay,” Lowes said from Thailand. “It was positive because we thought it was going to be wet but we got two dry sessions.

“It’s nice to be getting closer to the front in terms of lap times – I was only 1.1s off the front. How I was feeling on the bike was also good, and better than Japan.

“Still, there are a few points on the track where I feel it’s restricting me quite a lot but then in other parts I can ride normally, so that’s good. I look forward to trying to make another step tomorrow if the track is dry. Overall, I would say it’s positive. The team did a good job and I’m sure we can improve for tomorrow.

“It was the first enjoyable day on the bike since June!”