Sam Lowes arrives at Valencia on top of the world in Moto2

When Sam Lowes was forced to withdraw from the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix due to a pre-season shoulder injury, he probably never imagined he'd be on top of the Moto2 World Championship with three rounds to go.

But that's the dream situation the rejuvenated Marc VDS rider finds himself in, after storming to three victories in a row - his first grand prix wins since 2016 - to climb seven points clear of Enea Bastianini (Italtrans).

Another former title leader, Luca Marini (VR46), completes a trio of Kalex championship contenders, 23 points from the top.

"We arrive in a new situation this year because we lead the classification and we are ready to fight for the World Championship," Lowes said. "It's really exciting and motivating, but we don't have to change our approach or way of working.

"We have three intense races ahead of us and we must not lose our concentration. Let's hope the good weather is with us and we can enjoy a good first weekend in Valencia.”

Lowes' previous best result in Valencia was a fourth place in 2016.

"Valencia is a track that I like. I have reached the top five, but not yet the podium," he said. "I enjoy riding on this track, it has complicated parts, good overtaking points and I especially like the last sector.

"I want to work to keep the good feelings of the last races here."

Apart from Qatar and Styria, where he was disqualified after a braking mistake led to a collision with Somkiat Chantra and Jorge Navarro, Lowes has scored points in all of the other ten Moto2 rounds this season, finishing no lower than eighth.