ELF MARC VDS RACING TEAM
One of two fast twins , Sam Lowes ’ rapid progression through the British national ranks paved the way to a fulltime ride in the World Supersport Championship . After two years , the Lincolnshire rider had served his apprenticeship . In his third , 2013 , he took on – and beat – Kenan Sofuoglu to claim the World Supersport Championship , that backed up the national 600cc title he claimed in 2010 .
A move to Moto2™ with the Speed Up squad followed , and after flashes of promise in 2014 ( eight top ten finishes , two front row starts ), the Englishman claimed his first Grand Prix win at the start of 2015 at the Circuit of the Americas . He ended the year fourth overall before a switch to Gresini Racing and a Kalex chassis brought about two more wins and four further podiums . Ultimately Lowes fell short in a hotly contested title fight with Johann Zarco .
A subsequent move to MotoGP™ with Aprilia quickly turned sour with the Englishman notified midway through his debut season in the premier class that his services would no longer be required for the following year . He scored just five points through the year , but factors including hapless mismanagement and machine reliability were factors in the struggles .
His return to Moto2™ with a KTM chassis for 2018 was far from straightforward as Sam notched up just one top six finish , but a move back to Gresini Racing aboard a Kalex saw the Englishman immediately feel more comfortable . Yet despite some strong , promising showings throughout the year , a series of non-scores meant he could finish no higher than 16th in the World Championship .
62 | Moto2 TM | Sam Lowes