Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes dominated the MCE British Superbike qualifying and will start the opening race from pole tomorrow. The Derby rider set a new best lap with a 1’48.102 but is adamant that he could have gone faster, and is ready to fight with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne for the win.
On Friday, Lowes experienced problems with his tyres, but his team have worked hard today to rectify the issue, and he is now happy with the outcome.
"Yesterday I had tyre problems which I was not expecting, but I have worked really hard today and I hope that puts us in a decent position for tomorrow, it is nice to be on pole but more importantly I feel a lot better with the bike,” said Lowes, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the circuit.
The 22-year-old felt that he could have gone even quicker in Q3, especially if he had a new front tyre and hopes they will be able to do the distance in order to battle it out with reigning champ, Byrne.
“I feel like I could have gone faster, but I had a worn front tyre in, but if I had a new front tyre I could have done a 1’47, which would have been nice. But I have been working on my consistency and my race distances more which hopefully puts us in a good position tomorrow but I am looking forward to taking the fight to Shakey.”
Lowes will not be the only Samsung Honda bike on the front row tomorrow, team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari takes up the final spot in fourth, and the Brit is proud that he is matching the times of the former triple champ and is looking forward to racing against the Japanese rider tomorrow.
“I feel pretty fit and I am going to give it everything I have got. I feel I have got good pace and feel positive and I will try and do everything I can to win tomorrow. It is great to see two Samsung Honda’s on the front row, but it is sort of frustrating for me when Kiyo beats me in a session, people are almost saying what’s wrong, but he is three times British champion, and he should be beating me. I think he is doing lap times that are his best ever times on this bike, and I am proud of myself that I am matching him and racing against him, and it is good. If I can have a battle with him tomorrow I will be happy.”
