Sam Lowes suffered his third opening lap take down by another rider in the Indian Moto2 as he saw another potentially strong finish go wanting at the Buddh International Circuit.

Having only just survived being caught up in a five-bike pile-up during the original Moto2 start, Lowes was then the innocent victim just three corners into the restart when he was skittled out by Aron Canet.

Another frustrating early bath for the Marc VDS Racing rider, it comes after he was swiped out by Alonso Lopez on the first lap of the Italian Moto2 at Mugello and struck the unsighted Husqvarna IntactGP bike belonging to Darryn Binder moments into the Austrian Moto2.

Though he remounted and showed front-running pace, Lowes could only soldier home in a distant and lonely 19th.

“Obviously disappointed by today’s race. I was taken down by another rider again – that’s a couple of times it’s happened this year, so it’s rather frustrating. But it was really positive to have podium pace after, and that’s something we can take away from this weekend. 

“We need to try and improve our performance on Saturdays so I can be in a better position on the first lap than where we were today. I’m a bit sad, a bit frustrated after today. But I have to just keep my head down, keep working hard and take the positives from this weekend. 

“I’m sure things will come good soon, because our pace is good and that’s the main thing. Thanks to the team as always for doing a good job this weekend and we’ll keep going!”