Sam Lowes ready to ‘come out fighting’, picks Nicolo Bulega as a rider to watch

Sam Lowes admits he needs more time in the saddle of his Panigale V4 R, but that he will come out fightin💯g at Phillip Island ౠnext month.

Sam Lowes, Jerez WorldSBK test, 24 January
Sam Lowes, Jerez WorldSBK test, 24 January

Very nearly a Moto2 world champion in 2020, Sam Lowes has brought his talents to WorldSBK an♐d already looks competitive ahead of the s🐬eason-opener.

Lowes is currently in action at Jerez as part of a two day test, and speaking to WorldSBK.com after the opening day on Wednesday, the Brit admitted there’s lo✱ts to learn but that he’s happy with how things have gone so f🍸ar. 

“Really enjoyed it,” began Lowes. “There’s a lot to learn with the rhythm of the bike, how to ride, I just need time to understand it and put it into practice. But we found some good things and already the ergonomics of the♋ bike and what I do and don’t like.

“So we’re going in ﷽a good direction. Mega job from the t﷽eam because they were up until 1am getting the bike ready. It’s been a big job but it was a positive day.

“Old habits die hard. Too much lean angle in some places, a little bit too much corner speed in some places, so ju🅰st things to improve.

“We didn’t try any of the softꦏ tyres, not because I’m confuꦚsed, but just because we’re building up.

“I’m not really picꦍking it up and using the drive area. That’s something to keep working on. I feel like we’ve got a good step in that direction.”

Lo🍒wes is one of three riders who are jumping aboard the Panigale V4 R for the first time in their careers in 🤪2024.

The other two are Andrea Iannone and Nicolo Bulega, both of whom have been very impres🎀sive in Jerez.

That’s especially true about Bulega w🅺ho has broken the lap record with still a few hours remaining of day two.

Speaking about the riders he expected to be at the front, Lowes added: “It is tight. In testing at Jerez it is always tight and everyone goes well here straight away. I was happy with my gap to the [main] gr🥂oup, let’s say.

“Nicolo [Bulega] did a mega lap and was fast already at the end of last year. Hꩲe rode the bike a bit last year and he’s a world champion, a class rider and that’s what happens when you get on a good bike.

“It’s good for me because he is on the same bike as mine. Toprak will obviously do good things and he’s already fast. Johnny afteﷺr so꧋ long with Kawasaki is already quite fast.

“I think Bautista is biding hi🃏s time and working away under the radar. These boy📖s will come out fighting at Phillip Island but so will we.”

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