Shaina interviews… Sam Lowes!

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

Hi Sam, I have five questions, the first is; how difficult was it for you to get used to the MotoGP bike?

Sam Lowes:

It's quite a lot different to the Moto2 bike, because there's a different way to ride and it's a lot faster - which is fun! In the end it is still a bike, so some things are quite similar. But the maximum power, acceleration and braking are the three areas you have to get used to most on a MotoGP bike. But it's not so bad.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

Do you think MotoGP is harder than Moto2?

Sam Lowes:

I think it's a little bit harder, but very different, because in Moto2 all the bikes are more-or-less the same. The engines are identical and the differences between the Kalex, Speed Up and Suter chassis are very small. Whereas in MotoGP there is a big difference between the bikes; Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Aprilia, KTM, Suzuki. So it's a bit harder from a technical side.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

You have crashed more this year, is that more to do with you or the bike?

Sam Lowes:

Some of it is me of course, but also the bike has high potential, but is very complicated. We suffer a little bit with the front tyre, so in some tracks when we have a problem with the front of the bike, or the tyre, it's difficult for us.

I'd say it's a combination of me getting used to MotoGP and also a little problem of Aprilia because Aleix, my team-mate, has crashed more this season than before in MotoGP.

I'd say it's 50-50.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

Are you happy to go back to Moto2 next year?

Sam Lowes:

This season for me has been not the most enjoyable, for many reasons. So I'm happy to go back to Moto2 and try and win the championship, then come back to MotoGP in a different way.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

What can you tell us about next year?

Sam Lowes:

I have a nice agreement with the Interwetten team and KTM. Our goal is to fight for the world championship and obviously, if we can, become world champion. It's nice to go into next season with that as a realistic target and it's what we'll aim to do.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

My last question, if you were not a grand prix rider what you be doing right now?

Sam Lowes:

Good question! I try not to think about it too much! I like all sports, I play golf a lot so I'd love to be a professional golfer. It's very different to bike racing. Something like that. I like the life of a sportsperson so I'd probably try to do something like that.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

A lot of riders have told me they would do something in sport…

Sam Lowes:

It’s true, we all like sport and the way of life.

Shaina Salvia A. S.:

Thanks for your time.

Sam Lowes:

Thank you.