Simeon claims pole with Lowes second

An early crash Sam Lowes dented Sam Lowes’ hopes of taking a second consecutive pole position but the Englishman settled for second on the grid to continue his strong start to the campaign. Lowes was shaded by Xavier Simeon for the top spot with world champion Tito Rabat and Johann Zarco two tenths off the pace.

Having been battered and bruised in an egg beater of a crash on Friday Lowes was left stiff and sore and when he lost the front end in the early laps of the session he physically couldn’t shift his weight to avoid crashing. After the session Lowes told MCN that following the crash he decided to stay out on track and try and complete a race simulation. The Speed UP rider used one set of tyres throughout the session and on his 15th lap was still able to set a time faster than anyone bar Simeon.