MotoGP: Fuel issues halt Lowes’ best ever charge

Sam Lowes’ best ever charge through the MotoGP field was halted during yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi, running out of fuel in the final corners of the race and conceding a place right at the flag – but still managed to come home in his best ever MotoGP finish of 13^th.

The Brit was strong all weekend in wet conditions at the Japanese circuit, admitting ahead of Sunday’s race that he was keeping something in the bag – and showed just what he was capable of on the level playing field by taking the strong result.

“In the early laps I struggled to get the tyres and brakes up to temperature because of all the water. Once I found my pace, I was able to ride a good race. I overtook a lot of riders and had a fun ride. With three weekends in a row, it is important to get off on the right foot. I managed to do that, also gaining great experience in such difficult conditions. I had gotten very close to Pol in eleventh place.

“Maybe I wouldn’t have been able to overtake him because there were only a few corners left, but the bike had a problem and we will have to look into what caused it. I lost a position, but I am satisfied with how I rode throughout the weekend anyway. I finished in the points and, above all, I battled down to the last lap.”

Teammate Aleix Espargaró also heads to the next round of the championship this weekend in Phillip Island happy with his result, coming home in a strong seventh despite some issues during the race.

“Seventh place is a good result, but our potential was better than that. To be honest, I am disappointed. After the speed we demonstrated all weekend, our expectations were different. Unfortunately, I never found my rhythm in the race. I had big problems with aquaplaning that cost me a lot of ground. I don’t really understand it.

“I even tried to change the engine map, but the situation did not improve much. Toward the end of the race, when it stopped raining, I was able to do a few good laps, getting close to the Suzukis, but then it started raining again and I had to settle. In these final races I want to try to get into the top ten in the rider standings.”