Sam Lowes wants MotoGP return… but ‘definitely’ not on an Aprilia

Sam Lowes says his target remains MotoGP three years on from an unsuccessful sojourn with Aprilia as he looks to become only the second GP title winner hailing from the United Kingdom in 43 years this weekend.

Already a world champion with his title in the WorldSSP Championship, Lowes has been a regular front runner in Moto2 since stepping up in 2014 though he has peaked in 2020 with a run at the title for the first time with three wins to his name.

One of four riders in contention for the intermediate crown, he’d join 2015 Moto3 champion Danny Kent as the only British rider to secure a GP world championship since Barry Sheene in 1977.

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However, while Lowes has another season of Moto2 to look forward to in 2021, two of his rivals - Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini - are guaranteed to be heading to MotoGP with Avintia Ducati, while Marco Bezzecchi has been strongly linked with the available berth at Aprilia too.

Lowes has previously competed in MotoGP, with Aprilia in 2017, but it was an unsuccessful campaign that was ended acrimoniously after just a year with only two points’ finishes to his name. It’s a period Lowes references candidly as he discusses his desire to nonetheless get back to the top flight.

“I would love to go back to MotoGP, it is every rider’s dream. For next year I won’t be but for the future I don’t know… I definitely won’t go on an Aprilia again in MotoGP, that isn’t as fun as racing in Moto2!

“If I get a good opportunity and it is something I feel like I can have a good chance then why not. These guys [Bastianini and Marini] have done a great season and they deserve their shot in MotoGP, it will be nice to see how they get on because we are riding at a similar level, so you have to understand your opportunities and look at the correct ones at the correct times. 

“Now I just want to fight for this championship, if it is not possible then I will enjoy fighting next year.”

Unfortunately for Lowes, his hopes of title glory this weekend could be hampered by a hand injury, the product of a heavy crash in Valencia last weekend that would lead to a 14th place finish and a deficit of 14 points to leader Enea Bastianini.