A Ride Through Halts Lowes’ Victory Charge In Qatar
A ride through penalty for jump start stopped Sam Lowes and Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2’s fight for victory in this evening’s Grand Prix of Qatar, first round of the 2016 Moto2 World Championship.
Starting from the front row with the second time, Lowes was given a ride through penalty following a jump start together with five other riders, including rivals Alex Rins and Johann Zarco, while Franco Morbidelli and Sandro Cortese, for the same infringement, were added 20” on the final time of the race.
Back on track after the penalty, Lowes resulted the fastest rider on the track, setting the fastest lap of the race, 1’59”421, on the final lap, proving that he could fight for win. Crossed the finish line in 23th place on lap 3, the 25-year-old British rider still recovered to ninth place, which gives him important points for the Championship.
SAM LOWES (9th)
“I’m a bit upset but the rules are the rules, so I accept the penalty. The important thing is that I rode good. Folger was pushing hard at the beginning of the race but he crashed, I knew that I had the best pace today. I finished the race 20 seconds off the win, that is quite good considering the penalty. For the championship is not a big problem, our strongest rivals didn’t get good results too, and the first race is always a strange one. I’m happy, I rode good and next race will be good!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“Sam had the pace to win today, but at the start he was probably misled by other riders who have moved before the lights went out, and he moved imperceptibly. Unfortunately, the regulation is clear and then we had to make a ride through. One thing that makes me angry is that the Race Direction continues to mess: Morbidelli, who clearly made a Jump Start, was penalized with 20” on his final race time, instead of a ride through, which is much more penalizing. Morbidelli’s Jump Start was clear, so I cannot understand the reason for this decision, I’m very disappointed for this. For the rest, Sam put on display an incredible pace, with the fastest lap of the race on the very last lap, and for sure he had the potential to win. All this is positive for the upcoming round in Argentina”.
