Voltcom Suzuki’s Alex Lowes has had a mixed rookie year in World Superbikes, but he is feeling satisfied with the way that he ended his season in Qatar and is already looking ahead in 2015. He vows to come back ‘much stronger’ as he is remaining with the Paul Denning outfit for another season.

The Lincolnshire lad came away from the dark skies of the Losail circuit with a tenth and ninth place finish, and had to contend with tyre issues. But he soon found his confidence to come across the line inside the top ten in race two. Next year he will be partnered with the experienced Randy de Puniet, and the former MCE British Superbike champion will start testing in Jerez in a few weeks time.

“Tenth and a ninth may not look as good on paper but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The front tyre started to cut up with about eight laps to go in race one which made it quite hard work, so I just had to get the bike to the finish,” said Lowes.

“For the second race Lez made some great changes to the bike and it felt a lot better, we tried a different front tyre that I’ve not raced all year but once I got used to it, after the first six laps, it was probably the best I’ve ridden since Donington, so a nice way to finish the year.

“I was just a few seconds off the guys who finished in fourth place so I’m quite happy with that, I dug in until the last lap of the last race of the year and it has given me a bit of confidence going forward to testing. Thanks to the whole team, to Suzuki, Voltcom and Yoshimura for all their hard work this year, and I’m looking forward to coming back much stronger at Phillip Island for next season.”