Britain’s Alex Lowes has again been tasked with a top 15 finish at this weekend’s Motorland Aragon MotoGP round as he switches back from the World Superbike series to the blue riband class.

Lowes had a difficult weekend at the Lausitzring on the Pata Yamaha as conditions made it tricky for all concerned but the Derby-based rider aims to continue his M1 learning curve in Spain in what at least should be dry conditions for all three days.

“It’s incredible how much I’ve learnt with this opportunity over the last two races and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I feel that step-by-step it makes me more of a complete rider, and the knowledge I have gained on the M1 will surely continue to help me in my day job in the World Superbike championship,” said Lowes.

“Fortunately, Aragon is another circuit that I know, even if we only used the MotoGP track layout for the first time this season in World Superbikes, but I’m sure it will feel different to ride on the YZR-M1, especially the last corner.

“In any case, the goal of the weekend remains the same because, in the previous two GPs, I just wanted to gain as much information as possible. After racing the Yamaha R1 in Germany this weekend, it will certainly take me a few laps to re-adapt to the Yamaha YZR-M1, yet I can’t wait to get FP1 underway and ride the fantastic bike on the Spanish circuit."

Team boss Herve Poncharal has set Lowes a top-15 finish target but knows the youngster will be aiming much higher:  “Alex has done a really good job whilst standing in for Bradley and we hope that he can use all of the knowledge that he has gained to help his career. Once again, we have set him the target of ending up inside the top fifteen, but of course, he will want to finish the race in a higher position.”