Portimao Moto2 test: Lowes ‘positive of good potential’

Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes ended Moto2 preseason testing fifth in the combined times after a 1’42.281 lap on Sunday at Portimao.

With less than a week before the lights go out for the opening race of the new season, Lowes completed three days on track at the Algarve International Circuit firmly in the top five.

Having run in the leading pack across the majority of the weekend’s nine 70-minute sessions, the Belgium-based squad looked confident across the board as teammate Tony Arbolino trailed the Brit by just 0.009s at the close of play.

“This test has been really good,” Lowes confirmed from Portugal. “In general it has been a very positive five days of testing for me and the team, that show we have good potential this year. We had plenty of things to test and we were able to work a lot with the new package and draw many conclusions that will help us be competitive for the season ahead.

“We didn’t really have any issues over the five days, so that was also a boost and I am feeling happy with my pace.

“Based on what we saw here in Portimao, I need to find more speed in the first sector during the race weekend. If we do that then I’m sure we can be fighting for something special, and I can’t wait to get the season started now.”