Sam Lowes has set his sights on securing the 2018 Moto2 world championship, having returned to the class following a tough year in MotoGP.
The three-times Moto2 race winner and former World Supersport champion moved up to MotoGP with Aprilia in 2017, but his two-year deal was truncated, and he departed at the end of the season, as the team opted for Scott Redding.
Picked up by the CGBM Evolution squad – who ran current Marc VDS MotoGP rider Tom Luthi in Interwetten colours last season – ahead of his home round at Silverstone, the Briton is keen to prove a point on the ultra-competitive KTM chassis.
“It's easier coming back this way than it is going up to MotoGP, because obviously I've been here before, so I know more or less how everything works,” Lowes, who ended this week's Jerez test 10th overall, said.
“Of course, I'm coming back to a different bike with the KTM. I'm working on some things with myself to get that next little bit, because it's still taking a bit of time in some areas.
“But overall, I feel positive. Three victories (in the class), for sure I want more but it's nice to have a win with the Speed Up, a couple of wins with the Kalex.
“So hopefully we can add some more with the KTM. I feel good, I feel like we're working in a good way.
“We're not too worried about the laptime, we're just working in a positive way to find the better bike for Qatar.
“(The goal is) to fight for the world championship. The team goal is this, they finished second last year. I've been coming close a few times, so now it's time to step up and try and make it happen.”
Luthi and the CGBM Evolution squad mounted a strong assault for the intermediate class crown last year, though the Swiss rider's challenge ended when he picked up an ankle injury in Malaysia.
Asked if replacing as formidable a force as Luthi added pressure, Lowes responded: “No, I think mine and the team's goals are the same, we both want to win.
“Tom did a good job, not just last year but the last few seasons, and I think it's a good position to fill because he is a good guy. I think (there is) no more pressure because we want to win together.”
