Voltcom Suzuki’s Alex Lowes managed to make it through to Superpole two during the final timed World Superbike session in Qatar last night, but was left feeling ‘upset’ after a crash meant he missed out on some valuable track time.

But the Derby-based rider did have some positive moments at the Losail circuit. He was the first racer of the day to break the two-minute barrier, setting two consecutively-quick laps to head the times with a 1’59.974 and with just five minutes remaining.

He ultimately ended the opening practice in third with two further qualifying sessions left to run and continued the hard work into the night. A mistake in the final session left him little margin to set a time. However, with less than three minutes to go, the rookie took his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to sixth position.

“I’m a bit upset to make a mistake and miss most of that last session. In the middle session we worked on the less-favourable tyre, did a lot of work and I felt really strong, even though I was only seventh,” said Lowes.

“The first session was obviously great and in the last we only got one lap in on what will be the race tyre and, although I obviously got a good lap in at the end, I think that could have been a really strong session, so I’m a little bit frustrated.

“On the other side, I’ve never been here before and it’s been a fantastic experience to race under the lights; I’m really happy and I’m enjoying it a lot. I said at Magny-Cours, obviously apart from the race day when it didn’t quite go right because of the weather, I’m enjoying riding my bike again and I’m really happy.

“I just want to say a special thanks to the lads; they worked really hard in that session to get me out with two-and-a-half minutes to go, so thanks to them.”