Alex Lowes has been passed fit to run during Friday’s WorldSBK free practice sessions at Portimao with further assessments for the KRT rider due on Saturday.

Lowes was withdrawn from last Sunday’s afternoon race at Jerez in SPain, due to the 31-year-old’s hand fracture - caused during the opening weekend of the current triple header at Barcelona - but the Brit is ‘optimistic’ he can compete this time out.

“We had a good test in Portimao so we can be relatively optimistic that with a few days physio and rest we can be in a better position there,” Lowes said ahead of the Portugal trip.

“I showed my speed at Jerez and the bike was working well but it is just a shame that we couldn’t perform how we wanted to. It was a disappointing end to the weekend at Jerez but we just have to keep it in perspective and move forward to Portugal.”