MotoGP Le Mans: Lowes out to repeat French victory

Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes is hoping a return to Le Mans, the scene of his 2020 victory, will reignite his 2022 Moto2 season.

Lowes has run consistently at the front in the opening six races so far this season, but with the European season’s opening double-header failing to produce the promised rewards added to the disastrous first lap incident in Austin, he is striving for a strong finish in France this weekend.

The French Grand Prix has proved successful for the 31-year-old in previous years, with both victory and front row qualifications under his belt at the 4.2km layout.

Last week’s successful two-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain sees Lowes arrive at Le Mans eager to rediscover his podium form and add a second French success to his tally.

“I really like Le Mans because it is a track that features a lot of hard braking, and this is an area where I feel we are always very strong,” Lowes explained ahead of crossing the Channel. “You need to be aggressive there and that suits my style.

“I’ve already had one victory with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team in Le Mans and that’s an experience and emotion I’d like to feel again.

“We need a solid finish this weekend because three DNFs in a row isn’t ideal. Two of them were out of my control but I feel like I’m riding well and I’m looking forward to being competitive and finding some momentum again with a big point scoring finish.”