Sam Lowes was left disappointed after his home round at Silverstone after a last-lap crash saw the Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider retire from the race.
Lowes started the weekend strong, ending the first day in fifth position, but Lowes continued to show strong form on Saturday morning, finishing Free Practice Three in sixth position, just two-tenths off the top spot. However, things started to turn in the wrong direction for Lowes in Saturday afternoons Qualifying session when the Brit ended up down in ninth position.
After a disappointing start to the race, Lowes had fought his way up to the back of the group battling for tenth, consisting of Luca Marini, Xavi Vierge, Jorge Martin and Red Bull KTM bound Iker Lecuona. Lowes had caught the group and started making his way through the pack, starting the last lap behind Vierge in eleventh position, but a crash at turn thirteen (Village) on the final lap ended Lowes’ points finish hopes.
“The first few laps were more complicated than I thought and just had to battle with the guys in the group. I made a mistake while trying to pass Vierge into turn 11 and ran off track. I lost a lot of time and focus and found myself behind the group in 14th position but I passed Shroetter and was coming back strong. This was my home race so I pushed until the end: I passed Pasini on the second-to-last lap and again on the last lap I was trying to cut half a second to Vierge and pass him. I’m very disappointed obviously because I didn’t finish the race, but I really appreciated all the support from the home fans this weekend.”
Lowes will return to Italy for the teams home round in three weeks time at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
