Elf Marc VDS Racing Team star Sam Lowes enjoyed a positive return from injury on the first day of WorldSBK action in France, with the British rider setting the 14^th fastest time of the day.

• Making his return from a left shoulder injury sustained in the Czech round of the series, Lowes spent the early stages of the day familiarising himself with the 4.411km Magny-Cours layout, which he last raced in 2013.
• Sam started the day with a small crash at Turn 13, which he was able to recover from quickly. He ended the cool FP1 session, which was held in ambient temperatures of 17 degrees, in 19^th with a best time of 1’38.527.
• The afternoon brought about big improvements for the 33-year old. FP2 was red flagged after a big crash for Toprak Razgatlioglu. When it restarted Sam took nearly 1.5s off his personal best time from the morning. His 1’37.066 was enough to place 14^th in the combined Free Practice standings.

/// SAM LOWES: 14th: 1’37.066

“The pace was consistent and I tried both of the rear tyre”

“Actually, it was a decent day. I struggled a bit this morning to get going after six weeks off the bike. Honestly, I felt like I was learning the track again for the first time. I’ve been here before, even if it was eleven years ago. But with my young age, I forgot a bit where to go! Every time it takes me a bit to get into it at these tracks which I’m returning to. But this afternoon was better. The pace was consistent and I tried both of the rear tyre options. I didn’t really like the new direction, and preferred the standard ones. Overall, it was pretty positive. If it’s dry tomorrow I feel I can make a good step forward, considering I haven’t been riding the past six weeks, and improve on the track. I’ll get a good sleep tonight, see what the weather’s like tomorrow and aim to make a step.”