Pata Yamaha’s Alex Lowes is happy with his pace after two days’ WorldSBK testing at Phillip Island but says he will take a different approach to the 2017 season.
The former MCE British Superbike Champion managed two race simulations today, which saw him racking up a total of 89 laps for the day and 106 over the course of the two days but a bike problem meant he missed out on the final 15 minutes today.
“We just tried to get as much information for the guys, also for myself obviously to try and improve for the weekend,” Lowes told bikesportnews.com
Lowes best lap time came in the fourth and final session this afternoon when he posted a 1’31.629, which was good enough to see him finish in sixth place overall for the test.
“The lap time wasn’t too fast, but we put the work in. It was a solid test day, that what it was,” he added, while admitting he needs some more time to sharpen up both corner entry and exit.
“We made some good steps and improved my confidence for the afternoon session, even though the track temperature was up about thirteen degrees. My run was almost a good half a second faster every lap. So that was one good step.”
“All the winter testing I have done as good as I could. I don’t think I have set the world on fire with my pace, but I have worked hard as I could. I have not made any mistakes which is the main thing.
“I want to start the year with two solid results and give myself something to build at, because that’s my gaol. I need to be consistently fighting with them, consistently finishing races and getting closer to those guys.
“Like I said, I have put the work in and I do feel good and I’m really enjoying the Yamaha R1 and the team. I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
Lowes is aiming for two top five finishes this weekend but has one eye on the podium. “The work we have done, we might not be too far away. But I need a different approach, where in the past years I have made mistakes trying to get a podium. If it’s there, I’ll take it. If I have got the chance in the last five laps I’ll do the best that I can. But our goal is to score two top fives and get the year going solidly.”
