Saturday’s return to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit proved to be a difficult experience for Marc VDS after Sam Lowes suffered a painful right-hand injury in a high-speed crash during the morning’s FP3 session.
The Brit, however, showed incredible bravery as he took to the Valencia track for the afternoon’s final qualifying, getting to grips with his Kalex machine before finishing 18th ahead of tomorrow’s 25-lap race.
Cool and cloudy conditions dominated this morning’s final free practice as Lowes once again battled consistently in top-three contention. Unfortunately, a heavy fall on the approach to turn nine on his 16th lap saw the Lincolnshire man tangle with his bike, the aftermath requiring lengthy treatment in the medical centre for a painful injury to his right hand, however, X-rays confirmed he had not broken any bones.
Heavy strapping, an afternoon of ice packs and a boat-load of mental strength allowed the 30-year-old to complete nine pain-defying laps throughout the afternoon’s Q2 conclusion as he analysed the wrist’s performance.
Reducing the gap to the front from over three seconds at the start of the 15-minute session to within nine-tenths of the pole position set by Stefano Manzi by the close of play, a determined Lowes admits he has a battle ahead of him tomorrow to keep his championship hopes alive.
“Today has been a strange day because I was feeling really good in FP3. My times were fast on used tyres and more importantly I was consistent. But I made a mistake with the gearshift coming out of turn eight and I fell very awkwardly," said Lowes.
“It was a big crash and the bike hit my right hand quite hard and it is a painful injury.
"I was in pain in Q2 and all I can do now is have some intense treatment tonight and tomorrow morning and collect as many as points as possible in the race.”
