Moto2: 'Surprise' crash brings Lowes’ title hopes to an end

Sam Lowes has saw his 206 Moto2 title homes come to an end after crashing out of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix while looking to be in contention for a class victory that would have spurred on his resurgence of late.

Losing the front and washing out of the race, the second place secured by title leader and reigning champion Johann Zarco means that the Lincolnshire native now trails the Frenchman by a huge 60 points with only 75 left on offer this year.

“It’s too bad, because I was feeling good and I was feeling comfortable with the bike, but at turn ten I suddenly lost the front, crashing. I don’t know what happened, but the crash left me a bit surprised, because I as I said I was feeling good and the bike was working well. Now we look forward to the upcoming race in Australia, on a circuit that I really like.”

And his Federal Oil Gresini team boss Fausto Gresini had some choice words for Lowes after the race, criticising him for making the mistake when so much was on offer to him.

“I’m very disappointed, because we made another mistake in a race where we had a chance to do very well. Sam is a very good rider, but I think that in this case he would have been better to manage the race without taking too many risks in the early laps. We leave Japan with a bad taste in the mouth, but we look forward to the next race in Australia.”