Yamaha confirmed today its rider line-up for 2018, with Alex Lowes re-signed to the Japanese manufacturer.
Despite having consistently been the man most likely to break the Kawasaki and Ducati monopoly, Lowes’ future had been uncertain until his Suzuka 8-Hours success.
Having stood on the WorldSBK rostrum twice for Yamaha this year, it looked like a foregone conclusion that a new contract would be signed, sealed, and delivered early in the summer.
As it was, patience was key for Lowes, but in the end he got the deal that he had been chasing.
“The most important thing for me is that I want to be in a position to win the WorldSBK championship in the future,” said Lowes.
“I believe that I can be world champion, but it’s been a tough four years for me in WorldSBK. I believe that I can achieve a lot in this championship, and it has been difficult to not have that success.”
“I’ve got a great relationship with Yamaha now, and we’re continuing to build that relationship. When the time is right and we’re ready, I think that Yamaha and myself will be in a really strong position.”
“I’m delighted to be staying here because it’s the best option for me, and all year it’s where I’ve wanted to be for 2018. We made steps over the winter and we can keep making progress together.”
Yamaha has already made big strides this year with the R1, but Lowes is keen to stress the importance of continuing to progress. In the second year of their return to the series, Yamaha has been able to challenge at the front on a weekly basis.
From the season-opener in Phillip Island, the blue bikes have been able to challenge the Kawasakis and Ducatis, but it’s clear that another step forward is needed.
“Suzuka is important because when you’re in the box, and all the key Japanese people are with you, you can talk to them and see that they do care about WorldSBK.”
“They want it to be successful. I think that there’s support from Japan, and there will be opportunities for us to work closer with them to improve the bike.”
“I think that it’s probably more likely that at the end of the year, we’ll start to get some help from those guys for the 2018 season. I think that there’s lots of areas we could learn from. I don’t think that it’s one thing that we could bolt on the WorldSBK bike and it would be a massive step.”
“I really believe that having the respect and a closer relationship with the Japanese is the most important thing that would help us improve on all the areas of the WorldSBK bike.”
The WorldSBK season will resume in Germany on August 18th.
Source: Pata Yamaha
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