Yakhnich Yamaha's Sam Lowes was surprised with just how fast he was during the World Supersport qualifying at Donington Park this afternoon. The Derby rider clocked a record-busting 1'30.276 lap time, which propelled him to the front of the grid for the race tomorrow. This is the first time the rider has been around the Leicestershire circuit on his Yamaha and is pleased with what he has achieved so far.

“This track I expect myself to do well but I get nervous for every race, but a little bit more for this race. I really surprised myself today, and I didn’t think I would do a 30.2 so I am really happy with that,” said Lowes, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“I have only done one day here in the dry on the Yamaha so for me the time is quite a surprise. But just because we are fast in qualifying does not mean we are necessarily going to win the race but I think if I do the race the way that I can and win it would be really nice.”

The local rider has been on form all weekend and has been consistently topping the timesheets, but rival MAHI Racing’s Kenan Sofuoglu will not be too far behind him and Lowes will be making sure he keeps up the reigning champ tomorrow.

“I am feeling good, it is the first time for me and the Yamaha at Donington so I still had to learn a lot but in the end I made lots of fast laps and I think I did seven laps that were capable of pole position, so me it is good.

“We will wait to see tomorrow in the race, I think Kenan [Sofuoglu] will be fast but I think me and him can go away from everybody else, but we will see tomorrow, but I am excited.

“We have got some small changes on the bike with the electronics and rear suspension and everything else is quite good. We will try it in warm up and make a decision before the race.”