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Lowes signs off from 2020 with unbelievable podium finish

written by Hugh
Sam Lowes produces a heroic performance to finish third at the Portuguese Grand Prix but just misses out on winning the Moto2 World Championship, while Augusto Fernández secures a fighting eighth place.
There was reason for cheer for Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS at the final round of the 2020 Moto2 season as Sam Lowes shook off the pain caused by the two broken bones in his right hand to fight until the final lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix. After three pole positions, three victories and four further podiums it has been an excellent first season with the team.
Augusto Fernández also had reason to be proud after scoring eighth place at the beautiful Algarve International Circuit. It has been a solid campaign for the rider from the Balearic Islands after he scored six finishes in the top eight, and a best finish of fourth.
The pain in Lowes’ hand was such he was unsure he could compete in the race after morning warm-up. But he dug deep and was fighting with leading duo Luca Marini and Remy Gardner from the early laps.

After a small mistake, Lowes then mounted an incredible late comeback. He posted his fastest lap of the race on lap 19 – a 1:42.540 – as he attempted to close in on the leading duo. He just fell short, coming home 3.8 seconds behind race winner Remy Gardner.

The result means Lowes ends the year in a fantastic third place in the Moto2 world championship with 196 points, nine less than new champion Enea Bastianini.

“This was one of my best ever rides” “I honestly think this was one of my best ever rides. There was a lot of pressure. I was really struggling in warm-up. I could hardly even ride the bike. This weekend I had done no laps. I had no idea what the pace could be. I have no idea how the team managed to set up the bike because I never managed to do three or four consecutive laps all weekend! I just have to say thank you to the team for this year. I hoped I could repay them with a good ride and a strong result. Everyone saw I didn’t give up until the end. That’s the most important thing for the team and the rider: just to do your best until the finish line and this is what we did!”
22nd November 2020 0 comment
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Motor Sports

Lowes triumphant in Teruel for third straight victory

written by Hugh
Sam Lowes completes a lights-to-flag victory at the Teruel Grand Prix to take the lead of the Moto2 World Championship while August Fernández rides to a strong eighth place.
It was the perfect end to the recent triple-header for Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, whose riders led all of the weekend’s sessions (from Free Practices to Warm Up), as Sam Lowes mastered the 21-lap Moto2 race at the Motorland Aragon Circuit to win his third race in succession.
After today’s results, the Belgian squad remains in second place in the Moto2 Team’s Championship, but it has now reduced the deficit – just 45 points – to Sky Racing Team VR46 in first.
1st, Race WinnerHaving topped four of this weekend’s six sessions, 30-year old Lowes got his best start of the season and led from the first corner. From there he set an incredible pace from the very first lap.
The Briton set the fastest lap of the race on lap 2 – a sensational 1’51.730 – and from there extended his lead from 1.5 seconds to a dominant 8.4 seconds at the checkered flag.
Lowes’ third win of 2020 puts him into the lead of the World Championship with 178 points. He now sits 7 points ahead of Enea Bastianini in second.
Lowes’ win is the first time a British rider has won three consecutive races in the intermediate category of grand prix racing since Phil Read did so in 1971!
“I’m really happy and really proud” “I’m very, very happy with this result. The team did a fantastic job improving the bike from the first race in Aragon. I really enjoyed the race. It was nice to finally get a good start and lead early! The bike was working well. I said to myself that if we could have three really strong results in this triple header we can fight for the championship and that’s what has happened. I’m really happy and really proud. Thanks to the team and all the sponsors. Now we’ll look forward to fighting for the championship in the last three races.”

Joan Olivé
Team manager“To take this victory at this point in the championship is really good”“This weekend Sam has been incredibly fast since the first day and with his pole position on Saturday. Since the start of the race he showed his strong pace. To take this victory at this point in the championship is really good. Also taking the lead of the championship before the last three rounds is really good for him and all of the team. For Augusto it was another good race, fighting very close to the podium positions. Step-by-step we are sure in these last three rounds we will be on the podium with him as well.”
25th October 2020 0 comment
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Motor Sports

Fernandez and Lowes ready to restart 2020 World Championship

written by Hugh
Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders are full of enthusiasm and motivation ahead of the resumption of the World Championship. In a shortened campaign with no room for error, Fernandez and Lowes share the same objective of fighting for results that will allow them to challenge for the title.

With less than two weeks to go before they return to competition, Fernandez and Lowes share their opinions and views on the unique challenge they are about to face. How have they prepared themselves during lockdown? Has anything changed since the season opener in Qatar back in March? Are they physically and mentally ready for when racing kicks off again in Jerez on July 19? In this special interview with both, the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders answer those and other questions.How are you facing the imminent return to competition?

Augusto Fernandez (AF): “I’m really happy to be back racing, back in competition working with the team and giving my all on my Kalex. I’m looking forward to it.”

 Sam Lowes (SL): “I can’t wait to be on the grid in Jerez! I’m happy and looking forward to it. I’m also very grateful that they didn’t let up in trying to make the 2020 World Championship happen, however different it may be.” What do you think of the new calendar?AF: “Obviously it’s very different to the usual one. Especially because of the reduction in the number of tracks, which means we have to repeat venues, but also because of the fact that we run so many weekends in a row. In any case, it will be the same for all of us, so we will adapt as best as possible to it. I want to start so badly that I would have raced again in any format. The important thing is to be able to race again!”

 SL: “I really like it. It’s much better than I had imagined during the months of lockdown, so I’m happy with this schedule. After what’s happened, having a 14-race season is good and it will be a challenge to maintain good results where any mistakes will be costly.”For now, there are eight confirmed circuits, Jerez, Aragón, Barcelona, Valencia, Le Mans, Misano, Spielberg and Brno, do you like them?AF: “I really like them all, and they have been good for me so far. I have more problems in Brno and Austria, even though I’ve made a top five at both. So, we will have to be especially careful in those tracks.”

 SL: “I’m happy with the tracks that make up the calendar. Austria is perhaps my weak point, but the rest are good, and I’ve achieved good results there in previous years, and that’s definitely a plus!”How do you think back-to-back races on the same track will affect the racing?AF: “On one hand, I think it will favour equality and on the other hand, it will open up the possibility of solving problems because by the second weekend we will already have accumulated a lot of laps. I think in a positive way, so if you have done well the previous weekend it is perfect because you start with a good feeling again in the same place. And if you have done badly, it is also perfect because you can turn it around with all the information gathered in the previous race.”

SL: “Even if the circuits are repeated, every race is a different story. Anything can happen and everything can change. You can see that it in World Superbikes. I think that the second weekend on the same circuit means there will be increased competition. We’ll have to see how much because in the Moto2 class things are already very tight and we’ll need the last thousandth! That’s an added difficulty as well as a huge motivation.”What do you think about racing without an audience in the stands? Will you notice it, and will it affect you a lot?AF: “It’ll be weird. On the bike we are so focused on riding that we can’t pay too much attention to the environment, it’s very nice to start and finish the practice sessions and races greeting the crowd. At that moment you really feel their presence and support a lot. We will certainly miss the fans. It’s another thing we’ll have to adapt to.”

 SL: “We feel the presence of the public and the bond that is created is very special, especially when we do a good result. Without the public the Grand Prix will not be the same, but I understand the reasons for this decision, and I respect it. I hope the fans enjoy a good show on TV.”How would you rate your fitness ahead of the season?AF: “I feel very good and strong in every way. I am training very hard to get to 100% in the first race physically, technically and mentally.”

 SL: “I’m definitely much better now than I was in Qatar when I had the shoulder injury from testing. I’m working hard on my physique and every day I’m getting better in terms of my shoulder and general tone. I’m ready to race.”Going into more detail, how have you prepared yourselves physically for this moment?AF: “During the lockdown I followed some pretty strict physical routines to keep in shape. We didn’t know when everything would return, so it was important to keep in good shape. Also, I train a lot with the bike as well to gain in endurance. Since I was able to get on a bike, I have been doing motocross and track work with a Kawasaki 400cc in karting. Although the sensations are not the same as the ones we have competing, it is a very demanding job as well as fun.”

SL: “From the beginning I focused a lot on doing shoulder rehabilitation work to gain mobility and flexibility. I combined it with my usual physical training routine. To work on cardio and endurance I did a lot of running, combining distances of 10km and half marathons, always trying to reduce my times. In the final stretch I started working with minibikes to test my shoulder and work on some aspects of braking. I also did off road to recover sensations like with throttle control, which sometimes is reduced if you are not riding for a long time. And of course, as far as I could, I jumped on the big bike to ride on longer tracks and recover sensations and speed.”And mentally? It will be a season in which there won’t be room for too many mistakes…

AF: “I haven’t done any particular work thinking about that, but I have become aware of the type of season we will be facing. There is no room for error, and we are already dragging the zero from Qatar. We will have to be very focused this season and above all keep control of our emotions.”

SL: “I haven’t changed anything and I won’t. During the lockdown I’ve continued to work with my psychologist as I usually do, and for the competition I’ll continue with the same approach as I have up to now. I think it’s the best thing to do. I feel very prepared.”Bearing in mind that you can’t ride your official race machinery, what are you going to focus on for final preparations?AF: “I will continue with my usual routine, bike or gym in the morning and train with the bike in the afternoon. We have already done a test with the team to recover sensations, reflexes and speed and there are a couple more planned before going to Jerez.”

 SL: “I’ll work on trying to lose a kilo and be at my ideal weight for the race but other than that my physique is fine. I’ll focus on working well in the private tests that the team has planned so that, as well as strengthening my feeling, we can build that working relationship again with my crew.”What is your objective for the season? Is it still the same as it was in March?AF: “Yes. Our goal then was to fight for podiums every weekend and now it is still the same. We are going to give it our all to get into the fight for wins and the title.”

 SL: “The goal has not changed. In a way this break has been good for me to get back in good shape. I feel that I have a second chance to go all out, so my goal is to be at the front regularly and to be able to bid for the title at the end of the season.”
3rd July 2020 0 comment
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