Sam Lowes was one of several drivers to test at Magny-Cours recently, and the hot conditions proved especially useful for the Marc VDS Ducati rider.

The test was organised by HRC, whose factory riders Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra were able to use the two days to get up to speed on a track they hadn’t ridden before.

For Lowes, experience is less of a problem at the French track, but with track temperatures reaching above 60C at their peak the conditions were such that he could work on one of his key WorldSBK weaknesses.

“It was a really good test,” said Sam Lowes, as reported by WorldSBK.com.

“It was nice to be back on the bike after a few weeks. 

“It didn’t feel like Magny-Cours, it was properly hot! It was high 30s [Celsius], I think it even hit 40 degrees one day, with mid-60s track temperatures. 

“It was really good for us because we know those are conditions that I struggle in a little bit.

“It was a real positive test, nice to be back with the guys, be back on the bike. We tried many things, tried the race tyre, tried the SCQ tyre on the second day in the morning and did some good lap times. 

“I feel like it was a productive test and hopefully we can use that to our advantage in a few weeks’ time. 

“Everyone’s enjoying the break, so it was nice to get it all in and work on some things. 

“We tried a few components on the forks which were positive. 

“Everyone thought it was a good test. It was very hot, I didn’t do any race runs but a few longer runs on the second day and it was all good.”

WorldSBK will return to Magny-Cours for the French Round on 4-6 September.