Moto2 Exclusive interview Gilles Bigot: “Sam Lowes found himself with very aggressive opponents”

It is brilliantly that Sam Lowes finished first in each of the three free practice sessions of this Austrian GP, ​​therefore leader of the combined classification ahead of Remy Gardner, George Martin, Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini. Lowes dominated every session, often with a modest lead, but always in first place in all three sessions. After his start to the season so difficult that he had to withdraw after FP2 of the first GP contested in Qatar, Lowes was finally able to have his normal physical form, which allowed him to make the most of the Kalex with which Alex Marquez was World Champion. last year in Moto2. His technical manager Gilles Bigot brings us this Austrian Grand Prix exclusively.

Sam was fourth in the provisional general classification arriving at Spielberg, with this year's places of third, second and second in qualifying at Jerez 1, then Jerez 2 and Brno; and twice fourth and once second in the race. He finally seemed to have been able to completely turn the page after his withdrawal from the Qatar GP due to a fracture and dislocation of the right shoulder, with a fracture of the top of the humerus and a rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder.

After qualifying, on Sam's side, confidence reigned on Saturday evening: “I have a very good pace, I have managed to string together regular times since the first day of testing. Even if we always want more, I cannot reasonably be disappointed to be on the second row of the grid. We have done a good job since the start of the weekend and there is no reason why we cannot fight for the podium on Sunday, or even victory. »

Gilles, how did you experience the start of this very eventful race?

“Yes, very eventful! The first start was average, however the second for the sprint race was less good, and as a result he found himself with very aggressive opponents who were slightly slower on one lap but who disrupted him to get his rhythm . »

“Besides, they got in the way and wasted time. The starts are always strong moments because the risks taken by certain drivers can quickly ruin a race before it has really started. »

Sam finished fourth at 7.2. Did you also have the impression that he was constantly fighting with an opponent from the start to the end of the race?

“The race normally lasts 25 laps and our settings were oriented to have a rhythm over the length of the race and above all to be good at the end of the race. »

“So for the 13-lap race, our settings were a little less suitable, we lacked a little grip to cope with the aggressive driving of the other drivers. I think if the race had gone 25 laps, he had the possibility of finishing on the podium. »

Lowes is 4th in the Championship, with 59 points, 19 points behind leader Luca Marini. How do you envisage the Styrian GP on the same circuit next weekend?

“Having had to fight during the sprint race made him see where he could improve, so we are going to review our settings a little to try to erase these points without losing out on the performance of the rear tire. »

“In fact, the entry and exit of turn 3, plus the entry into turn 4, gave him problems so we need to find an improvement. If we are able to do that, his pace will be better. And we have to improve at the start, because it's a bit of Sam's weak point since the resumption of the championship. »

Your team EG 0,0 Marc VDS is third in the provisional ranking of the World Team Championship, with 84 points, 34 behind Sky Racing Team VR46. How do you see the rest of the Championship?

“Since Jerez we have been able to score points. It was a zero in Qatar but we need podiums to come back, so it's up to us to do better with both drivers. »

“Sam needs to continue to drive well and Augusto needs to gain momentum a little. For the team classification, it is absolutely necessary to finish the races with both drivers. »

Lowes moves to fourth:

Video: “Slight disagreement” between Sam and Marco Bezzecchi:

Photos © EG 0,0 Marc VDS