The Estoril WSBK round was a weekend of mixed weather and mixed fortunes for the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team after a Race 2 DNF denied Sam Lowes a double points finish in Portugal’s feature races.

• After fighting for a top 10 in yesterday’s Race 1, Sunday’s action began in productive fashion with Lowes riding to a hard-fought 15^th in the 10-lap Superpole encounter.
• That armed the Briton with more important data and experience at the 4.1km Estoril track ahead of Race 2, which took place in the hottest conditions of the weekend as temperatures reached 24 degrees following rain that disrupted Friday and Saturday.
• Lowes was battling to keep himself in points-scoring contention in Race 2 when he unfortunately lost the front of his Ducati Panigale V4 R machine at turn 12 on lap three.

/// SAM LOWES: Superpole Race: 15th  // Race 2: DNF

“We’ll try and turn the page in Jerez”

“It’s been a more complicated weekend than I was expecting. We were not helped by the wet conditions on Friday and Saturday, but it hasn’t been easy to find confidence.

We are working incredibly hard to be more competitive and stronger. The whole team and I are putting in a big effort, but things are not working out as they should during the races and that is difficult and disappointing. We will try to turn the page as soon as possible to focus on the last round of the season next weekend in Jerez.”