WorldSBK Argentina: Chatter ends Lowes’ podium hopes

There have been some tough times for Alex Lowes since he joined Kawasaki, as well as a win and several podiums to remember.

But this season, after he got sick at Most and halted his progrews somewhat, he has been on an upward spiral.

His is now fifth overall, after finishing sixth, fifth and finally fourth in the Villicum races. “It’s just a shame about the qualifying,” said Lowes, who would have like to have taken at least one podium and could have challenged harder had he not been off the third row of the grid in the first two Argentine races.

Passsing ability is not his issue, it is being close enough to pass the fastest bikes. “I think you see on TV, we lacked the speed to be able to fight,” said Lowes. “The way Rinaldi passes, he didn’t just pass me. He passed me and then he’s three bike lengths ahead before you get to the top of the straight.

“Yesterday I was in the mix with the Hondas and some BMWs and the Ducatis. When you start in ninth and you’re in the middle of all that, it’s so hard to go forward and show your pace. Today I was happy with the Superpole race because when everybody’s got grip, it’s hard.

“I was quite aggressive at the start. I managed to pick my way forward. Again, I was stuck behind Rinaldi and Lecuona. I felt like I had a bit more speed, but managed to pass Iker on the last lap and had a bit of a battle, so that was good fun. In the last race, I didn’t expect the SCX to drop as much as it did.

“The last six or seven laps I was struggling. Had some chatter, especially turn two and three, I was really sort of dropping unexpected. Mid-race I felt like Jonny was struggling to stay there. I could nearly get away, but unfortunately P4 again. Wooden spoon. I feel like on genuine pace, if you look