Voltcom Suzuki’s Alex Lowes only saw Phillip Island for the first time on Monday but has set light to the World Superbike Championship’s established order by setting the third-fastest overall time in testing.

The reigning MCE BSB Champion is a little under three-tenths slower overall than reigning champion and fastest man Tom Sykes but has shown consistency on both soft and hard tyres with plenty of laps in the 1’30s bracket, so looks set for a top-five challenge in both races on Sunday.

“The test has been good. I’m happy to be in the top-three overall over the two-days. I’ve worked really hard, I was consistent this afternoon, we had a few issues but it would be impossible not to be happy really,” said Lowes, who had two small crashes.

“I don’t think many people expected me to be this close already and with a couple of days to reflect we should be in a stronger position for the weekend. I’m loving riding the GSX-R, it’s a bike you can really push and it seems to be a bit like me – the harder it’s worked the better it goes! Thanks to everyone on the team, we have a great atmosphere and I’m enjoying myself.”