Sam Lowes is ready to launch a podium battle in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix from sixth on the grid.

Sam Lowes was the man to beat going into Sunday’s session after ending the free practice sessions on top of the timesheets. However, things didn’t go quite to plan in Saturday afternoon’s session, finishing sixth, +0.213s off Remy Gardner’s pole position time.

The Spielberg track has traditionally been a difficult venue for Lowes, but he fully expects to be fighting in the lead group tomorrow as he goes in search of back-to-back podium finishes for the first time since the Austin and Jerez races back in 2016.

Speaking on Saturday evening, Lowes said:

Sam Lowes – P6

“I’m very happy because this has traditionally been a very difficult track for me and to be as fast as I have been all weekend is extremely positive for us. Today proved in Moto2 qualifying that if you don’t make the perfect lap it is difficult to be on the front row but I’m not too disappointed because my pace for the race is very strong. I’m still on the second row and coming into this weekend on a track I know is hard for me, I would have definitely been happy with that. You always want more but I feel good and I’m looking forward to the race. There is no reason why we can’t be fighting for the podium and hopefully the win.”

Lowes will launch from the second row when the lights go out on Sunday at 12:20 local time.