Lowes 'in love' with Moto2 Kalex after Jerez test

Sam Lowes had a productive first day of testing at Jerez with the Moto2 race winner setting the third fastest time and completing over almost 80 laps of the Spanish circuit.

Having ridden for Speed Up for the last two years the 25 year old was thrilled to get on track with his new bike for 2016. A move to Gresini brings with it a change to the Kalex chassis and while Lowes has been able to compete at the front on the Speed Up the greater consistency and larger operating window of the Kalex is something that he should reap the benefits of this year.

Following the opening day of the test Lowes sat down with MCN to offer his thoughts on his first experiences of the Kalex chassis.

“You don’t jump on a bike and break the lap record but today answered a lot of questions for me about the Kalex,” said Lowes. “It turns so well, I hit the inside kerb four or five times today just because the bike turns so well. For me the bike is a step forward and in a class like this, where it’s so close and so competitive, those steps make a big difference.

“The grip from the Kalex is quite similar but the Kalex can recover grip quicker when it starts to spin. With this bike it recovers and tries to grip whereas the Speed Up would take longer and keep spinning. The front is so planted and in the faster corners it’s a little bit better. Those steps in each area make a big difference and it’s so easy to ride.

“I was doing 12, 13 lap stints and it was so easy to ride compared to my old bike. In the end I did a ten lap run and they were all in the 42’s. I was two tenths off Rins but he’s been riding this bike all year.  This is only my first day on the bike, they all tested yesterday, so I’ll wait and see what I can do tomorrow. With this bike you have so much more feel. At the minute I can’t do a fast lap on the new tyre but it’s my first day and that will come. I’m really fast on a used tyre and that’s good for today.”

Lowes will continue to test tomorrow.