Alex Lowes targets podium finish in front of home crowd

Following two fifth place finishes and a sixth at Misano, Alex Lowes is aiming for a podium return at his home WorldSBK round this weekend. 

Lowes started the year in superb fashion with three podiums from three, however, the second year Kawasaki rider is without a rostrum since. 

Lowes is one of seven British riders who will be competing at Donington Park in front of a reduced crowd. 

"It is great that we are heading back to the UK round of WorldSBK after missing it last year because of the Covid-19 situation," said Lowes. 

"Coming up through the BSB series I feel a really good and close relationship with the fans here. 

"That is going to be one of the main things that is going to be really enjoyable. The second thing is that I like the track, it has always been a fun track for me, and I have taken some good results there. 

"On top of that the Kawasaki - looking back - has always gone quite well there. This will be my first time trying the Ninja ZX-10RR at Donington and I am excited about it."

Most of Kawasaki’s recent success at Donington Park hasn’t come from six-time champion Jonathan Rea. Instead, it’s Tom Sykes who has the most victories with nine.

But whether success has come from Rea or Sykes, Lowes sees Donington as a prime opportunity to get on the podium. 

The 30 year-old said: "It is a track that looks like it works well for the bike. Kawasaki has won plenty of races there and the target for me is to get back on the podium. 

"We had solid second and third rounds of the championship, but maybe the higher temperatures and some track layouts did not quite suit the bike quite as well as some others. 

"So, the target is clear for this weekend. Get back on the podium like we started the year in Aragon and enjoy the whole weekend in front of the home fans."