Moto2: Lowes stepping back to leap forward

Sam Lowes is taking a step back in 2018 to hopefully take a huge leap forward in 2019, as the Aprilia rider returns to the Moto2 series next year with the Interwetten Technomag squad in a bid to finally take the title in the middleweight class.

Left high and dry in MotoGP following Aprilia’s decision to break contract with him at the last round of the championship, he’s been extended a lifeline by the Swiss squad as he steps in to replace the MotoGP-bound Thomas Luthi.

But, signing up with one of the strongest and most successful teams on the grid and going into next year confident that he can be a championship contender if not the favourite form day one, it’s a case of one step back in order to take two forward for the former World Supersport champion.

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“The goal at the start of the year this year was to do a good job and stay in MotoGP, but what I’m going to try and do now is go back to Moto2, win the world championship and win the British Grand Prix. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m going to go back there with my head held high and do a great job.”

And that sentiment was echoed by new team boss Fred Corminboeuf, who says the spirit of his new signing means he’ll be the perfect addition to the squad.

“It looks really interesting and we’re really really happy to have signed him. E’s a great kid, a great rider, and he’s a fighter – and we like fighters. We’re a small family team, and he’ll fit inside my team perfectly.”

The opportunity he desires to return to the premier class could materialise even sooner than anticipated, too, if rumours of the team’s switch from Kalex machinery to KTM’s new frame come off. Even though Lowes is insistent that he’s not bothered which package he ends up on, he also conceded that with KTM bringing a satellite team to MotoGP in 2019, there’s a good route for progression to be had.

“Obviously there’s two options – stay with where we are or make the switch to somewhere else. I have a great relationship with the people at Kalex and I had a good option to go to the Pons team on Kalex too, but whatever machinery they choose I’ll be happy because I have good backing from the team. The Kalex is a winning package at the minute, but Oliveira is doing a great job on the KTM and I believe it’s a winner too.”

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