Pata Yamaha’s Alex Lowes was literally riding through the pain today, during both World Superbike free practice sessions. The local rider lapped an impressive 1’28.602 to put him fourth in the combined times, which was a great achievement considering is recovering from a broken collarbone injury, that he sustained during the last round at Sepang.
Lowes decided to ride without painkillers, and has basically ruled himself out a possible podium finish for the races. He feels confident when completing a few laps, but knows the races will be a challenge, as he is in pain after only three or four rotations.
But the former MCE British Superbike champ will try his best, and feels slightly ‘gutted’, as his R1 is handling the best it has all season. It is also unfortunate for him that he is not up to full fitness, and to potentially get the most out of the bike and fight for a win at his home track of Donington Park.
“I feel quite good, my shoulder gets quite sore and the collarbone after three or four laps and I think I might need a bit of help tomorrow in the races,” said Lowes at the track.
“As good as today went I was a little bit gutted in the second session as I realised that it is possibly the best the bike has felt in terms of handling and in terms of how we have got it performing all year. Unfortunately for me I am not in a position to take full advantage of that. I will dig as deep as I can and try and get the best result I can.
“I think it would be difficult for me to get on the podium, just because I can do three or four fast laps but to do 35 minutes on full race pace, and the last part of the track is quite physical and probably not the easiest track, but one thing is for sure I will try my best.”
