Alex Lowes was denied a points finish in the opening round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup at Valencia in Spain when his MV Agusta suffered an engine failure on the penultimate lap leaving the disappointed rider no choice but to pull off into the gravel trap to retire.
 
Riding the GiMotosport MV Agusta the 18-year-old Lincoln rider was making his debut in the 2009 European Superstock series but was hampered by technical problems in free practice but came back to post a respectable time in the solitary qualifying session to finish in 18th place and as the lights went out at the start of the 13-lap affair he got away to a clean start in the middle of the pack, circulating just behind fellow Brit Tom Bridewell.
 
Taking his time to settle into his race Lowes began to move through the field from 24th place on lap two, coming through to take up 15th place on lap 11.
 
But just as he looked to move further forward his machine developed an engine problem and he pulled off the track at post five with just one lap remaining.
 
Although disappointed by his non finish Lowes can take heart from the fact that he was circulating in a points scoring position and enjoying a good battle with the midfielders.
 
The next round is at Assen in Holland on April 26 when Lowes will be hunting down a strong finish to claim his first championship points in the current campaign.