KTM chassis for Sam Lowes in Moto2?

Sam Lowes could race a KTM chassis on his return to the Moto2 World Championship next season, Crash.net has learned.

In Austria, the MotoGP rookie was officially informed that he would not be retained for the second year of his Aprilia contract.

That decision prompted immediate interest in Lowes from Moto2 teams, for a return to the class where he was a race-winner using Speed Up and Kalex machinery from 2014-2016.

On Sunday at Silverstone, it was confirmed that Lowes is to effectively take over Thomas Luthi's seat at CGBM Evolution, the company running the CarXpert/Garage Plus-Interwetten Moto2 entries. 

The Swiss squad currently uses the Kalex chassis, but now looks poised to become KTM's first satellite Moto2 team.

KTM is in its debut season as a Moto2 supplier, but has already celebrated five podiums so far in the hands of Miguel Oliveira at the factory Ajo team.

While Lowes refused to be drawn on the 2018 chassis choice, he did offer his thoughts on returning to the Moto2 class.

“For next year the goal is to win the title in Moto2,” said Lowes. “I've got some unfinished business in trying to win the title and also the British Grand Prix! I want to win it next year and I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm focusing on enjoying the rest of the MotoGP season and giving Aprilia some good results. I wish them all the best, and the same for Scott next year.

“There's been so much support for me this weekend and it's really meant a lot to me. I want to give them something to be excited about next year. I'll go back to Moto2 with my head held high and I've no regrets about coming to Aprilia. In this sport it's not always simple and you make the best decisions that you can at any time. For me I've learned a lot as a man and a rider and I hope that the experience will help me next year.”

Having joined the grand prix paddock in 2014 as the reigning World Supersport champion, Lowes has been able to win three races for two different manufacturers. That experience is sure to be of value to KTM as they continue to develop their Moto2 machine.

Lowes also used WP Suspension in 2015 and then played a key role in the development of Ohlins Moto2 suspension in 2016.

A senior KTM official confirmed they are evaluating their team options in the Moto2 class.