Lowes pleased with progress ahead of final tests

Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider Sam Lowes says he’s in a good place ahead of the final tests of the pre-season, after completing his second test on the new-to-him Kalex machine at Jerez.

Sometimes accused of being feckless as he pushed the underperforming Speed Up machine beyond it’s limits in 2015, the former World Supersport champion should be in a better place when the new season gets underway – as evidenced by a continuing strong performance on the title-winning bike.

Completing nearly a hundred laps at the private two-day test, the Lincolnshire rider says that development has all been positive for him so far.

“We managed to try many things on the bike and also new suspension parts. What it makes us optimistic is that in the two days of testing we worked on different areas, but everything always gave good results, so now we just need to try to put all together in order to take another step forward ahead of Qatar.

“At the end of the day we could improve more, trying to make a flying lap, but at this time there is no need to push. We are fast on the distance and that’s what matters: I completed a long run of 20 laps and my last lap was the best one. This means that we are very consistent, and that the bike allows me to be very fast also in the final stages of a race”.

Lowes will return to Jerez next week for a test that will see him line up alongside many of his rivals for the first time this year, before the paddock moves to Qatar for a final outing before the opening race of the season there.

He took time out of his on-track schedule yesterday, however, to unveil the team’s new colour scheme, with Indonesian oil company Federal Oils as title sponsor, at the team’s Italian base.