Marc VDS’s Sam Lowes heads the fourth row for tomorrow’s Moto2 FrenchGP after Le Mans’ rapidly changing qualifying conditions left the Brit lacking feeling and down in 10th.

Saturday morning’s cold and damp conditions meant there was no improvements to the overall times in the final practice session with Lowes moving immediately into Q2 courtesy of his Friday best - set yesterday afternoon in the only full dry Moto2 session of the weekend so far.

Intermittent rain disrupted the 15-minute shootout from the off with the Brit initially choosing to gamble on slick tyres on the seemingly drying track before returning for wets after an exploratory lap. As the rain showers continued, Lowes initially hit the top-three, sitting at the edge of the front row as the closing minute got underway before his 1’52.031 lap ultimately secured him 10th for Sunday’s 25-lap race.

“It’s a shame to only qualify 10th” Lowes said the afternoon “because I didn’t feel good at all on the bike in qualifying. The conditions were very difficult, and I just couldn’t get the feeling from the tyres I needed, to push harder. 

“The conditions are the same for everybody, so I have to say some other guys just managed it better than me. It’s not a great day but the race is the most important part of the weekend and now we’ve got to wait and see what happens with the weather. 

“Wet or dry, we have to be ready, but I know the team will do everything to make me competitive for both.”