Fighting fourth place finish for Sam Lowes as Moto2 racing returns, teammate Augusto Fernandez 13th
After four months and eleven days since the previous race, the 2020 Moto2 World Championship finally restarted with the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit of Jerez – Angel Nieto.
In ambient temperatures of 33 degrees and track temperatures of 42 degrees and rising, conditions were extremely challenging with both Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders having to manage their tyres over 23 laps.
Race day started well for Sam Lowes, who posted the fastest time in morning warm-up at the end of an impressive 11-lap run.
Sam started well from third place on the grid, his first front row start in the Moto2 class since August, 2019. But the Lincolnshire rider initially struggled to match the leaders’ pace with a full tank of fuel and dropped from 5th to 7th.
On lap five Lowes started matching the rhythm of the podium contenders and had caught and passed Aron Canet for fourth on lap eleven.
Then he attempted to reduce the 2.3 second deficit to Jorge Martin in third. Sam pushed until the end, closing to within 0.6 seconds of the Spaniard but eventually settled for an excellent fourth.
Sam Lowes
“I’m quite happy with this fourth place. It’s a good position and good points but as a racer you want more, you want the podium. Today the conditions were very difficult. It was the first race in a long time, it was really hot and the pace was quite slow for everyone. I learnt a lot in the race about my bike, about my opponents. That was positive. I’m happy with the way I’ve approached the weekend and the way I’ve come back this year. It’s my first race for the team, a solid P4 and we can go again next weekend. Overall it’s positive and hopefully we can aim for the podium next week.”
After working tirelessly with his crew through free practice to improve his confidence with the front-end of the bike, there were signs of progress for Augusto in morning warm-up, when he finished with the 7th fastest time.
Starting from 24th on the grid, the rider from the Balearic Islands showed the right level of aggression on the first lap to climb inside the top 20.
The 22-year old maintained a solid rhythm until the end, gaining several positions in the middle of the race to rise to 13th place on lap 21.
Augusto now has a solid base setting in these conditions to start round two strongly, which gets underway in just four days time!
Augusto Fernandez
“Points are always important after probably the toughest weekend of our lives! I took three points so we have to be happy. It’s a step after how we struggled during the weekend. It’s a point from where we can start next weekend. We have to keep working to try and improve and be more competitive. Thanks to the team. We are working so hard to find the way. I’m sure we’ll get there in the end!”
