The site GPone publishes an interview with Sam Lowes, official Aprilia rider alongside Aleix Espargaro.
With the record for falls (14 – See here) and only 2 points scored in the first 9 races, the British rookie could appear on an ejection seat as this summer break approaches, but the few extracts that we publish instead depict a driver who has time on his hands, which also seems to confirm the words of Romano Albesiano.
Sam Lowes analyzes his situation with a certain perspective and anticipates notable progress, whether concerning himself or his teammate. This is all the harm we wish to the courageous Italian team sheltered in the Gresini team.
You are a beginner and you are struggling a little. In what area do you need to be faster?
“The last races were better than the first. This summer break is useful for working with the team and I think that after the summer I will be able to achieve better results. I am evolving my riding style in the braking phase: in Moto2, you can slide more than in MotoGP. With the electronics and the Michelin tires, I have to review my style and I need time to adjust it. In Germany I fell, but my pace was only two tenths slower than that of my teammate Espargaró. We are in the right direction. »
Aleix has more experience: does he help you progress?
“He’s a good teammate and helps me in certain situations; his level is high and he helps me in particular during the (private) tests. The race weekend is more difficult because the pressure is very high and everyone focuses on themselves. »
Espargaró drives fast, so what is the Aprilia RS-GP missing to get on the podium?
“We are optimistic for the next race in Brno, where we will have developments regarding the engine. We will be able to take a step forward and we will be able to overtake and race with more ease. Thanks to the continuous improvements and developments made to the chassis, it is difficult, but not completely crazy, to think that Aleix can fight for the podium on a few tracks, like Brno or Phillip Island, for example. »
Have you received any offers outside of the Grands Prix?
“Some proposals have arrived. There have been rumors that I will be leaving MotoGP but I have a two-year contract and I want to respect it. I'm a rookie and I'm faster than the Aprilia riders from last season. My situation is not as bad as some people want to make it out to be, and I am getting better every day.”
You know Crutchlow well who, like you, won the World Supersport…
“Especially in the last two years, Cal has shown fantastic things, winning two Grands Prix and often being in the fight for the podium. For me, Crutchlow is an example because he came from the SBK paddock and for two years it was not easy for him. Cal wasn't very fast the first year, but he worked hard and is now at a high level. Seeing his journey gives me confidence. »
You know Zarco and you have beaten him many times. Now he's going strong with Tech 3. What do you think of him?
“Johann does an incredible job, in the same situation I could be like him. I like Zarco, I like how hard he works, I respect him and I think he's really doing great things, considering he's a rookie. »
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 Marc MARQUEZ-Honda 129 points
2 Maverick VIÑALES-Yamaha 124
3 Andrea DOVIZIOSO-Ducati 123
4 Valentino ROSSI-Yamaha 119
5 Dani PEDROSA-Honda 103
6 Johann ZARCO-Yamaha 84
7 Jonas FOLGER-Yamaha 71
8 Danilo PETRUCCI-Ducati 66
9 Jorge LORENZO-Ducati 65
10 Cal CRUTCHLOW-Honda 64
11 Alvaro BAUTISTA-Ducati 44
12 Jack MILLER-Honda 41
13 Scott REDDING-Ducati 33
14 Aleix ESPARGARO-Aprilia 32
15 Loris BAZ-Ducati 31
16 Andrea IANNONE 28
17 Tito RABAT 23
18 Hector BARBERA 21
19 Karel ABRAHAM 20
20 Pol ESPARGARO 14
21 Bradley SMITH 8
22 Alex RINS 7
23 Michele PIRRO 7
24 Sam LOWES 2
25 Sylvain GUINTOLI 1
