A Race 1 at Donington Park that promised so much for Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team came to an early and abrupt ending when the home crowd favourite was unluckily caught up in a multiple rider incident at the first turn

Second fastest in FP3 and starting the 23-lap Race 1 from the middle of the second row in fifth after a strong Superpole outing, luck was not on the side of Lowes when contact from another rider sent him tumbling into the gravel trap just seconds after the start.

Fortunately, Lowes escaped serious injury in the incident and he is determined to put today’s disappointment behind him in the Superpole race at 11am local time tomorrow ahead of the full distance Race 2 at 2pm.

^{// SAM LOWES: Superpole: 5th, Race 1: DNF}

Lowes served up a treat for British fans this morning to finish second fastest in FP3, which turned out to be very much a family affair as he finished behind twin brother Alex in the classification.

The momentum gained throughout the weekend then continued for Lowes in a dramatic Superpole session and he qualified in fifth position and lead Independent Team rider with a personal best time of 1:25.347.

The 34-year-old felt he had the potential to be in the hunt for a dream home podium, but his hopes were extinguished in cruel fashion on the opening lap.

As the field made the short run off the line into turn one, Lowes was hit from behind by Yari Montella, which sadly ruled the 34-year-old out of contention.

Lowes underwent precautionary checks in the medical centre after reporting pain and discomfort in his right shoulder but checks thankfully showed no serious damage and he fully intends to line up on the grid for tomorrow’s race action.

“There was contact from another rider and my race was over”

“Unfortunately, there isn’t really much I can say after that. Qualifying was OK and I felt I could have gone a little bit faster and maybe gained another place, but I think my potential was fourth in Superpole. I didn’t get a bad start off the line but then there was contact from another rider and my race was over. It’s a real pity because it goes without saying that I really wanted to perform well and put on a good show for the British fans. The big positive is that I’ve not broken anything. My right shoulder is really sore and to be honest it is hard for me to say what I can do tomorrow until I wake up in the morning. Only then will I be able to fully understand what my condition is and we’ll take it from there.”