Derby World Superbike racer Alex Lowes will be battling through the pain barrier at Donington Park this weekend, as he aims to please his home fans despite racing with a broken collar bone.
The 25-year-old Pata Crescent Yamaha rider suffered a crash last time out in Malaysia, and sustained the injury which cast doubt on his participation at Donington Park this weekend (27-29 May). But showing total desire to race at his local round of the Superbike World Championship, he has defied the odds to confirm his slot on the grid.
“It would be unfair if I didn’t give it a go” Lowes commented. “Donington is always one of my favourite races of the year and I have such a good relationship with the fans. I feel alright, but I might need a couple more rounds of applause around the circuit to get me through the races, but I’m sure I’ll be OK.”
The extent of the injury would see most sportsmen out of action for several weeks, but superbike racers are a tough breed, as Lowes explains; “The collarbone is broken in the middle in two places. I had a seven inch plate and some screws inserted to hold it in place last week once I arrived back from Malaysia. It’s not that bad really, I can move it a bit, and it’ll probably hurt a bit when I’m racing. If it hurts too much I’ll have to stop but I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen, I don’t want to have to moan about it or have to use it as an excuse!”
Lowes is hoping to impress his home fans this weekend, despite the obvious pain he’ll be racing with. The 2013 British Superbike champion has been racing in the World Championship for three seasons, and enjoyed a podium finish at Donington in 2014. A switch to Yamaha machinery this year has seen him make further progress, and he hopes for strong results at a track he knows well: “We are racing against top class riders on factory bikes, and it’s naïve to think we’re going to win or get on the podium straight away. But the bike is going well and we’re making steps in the right direction. I don’t know how much the injury is going to affect me, but I feel quite good and I’m hoping not to just ride at Donington on the weekend, but to do a good job for the home fans too.”
Lowes is looking forward to meeting the fans this weekend, and will make appearances around the venue including the Paddock Show and at a special question and answer session on the infield campsite on Saturday evening, alongside other stars of the series and the legendary Carl Fogarty. Lowes commented: “It’s great that the fans will be able to get close, it’s something I’m used to with my time in British Superbikes and in my opinion, and I’m slightly biased, we have the best fans in the world so I’m hoping lots of people turn up and make plenty of noise for us!”
For more information, visit
www.donington-park.co.uk. Tickets will also be available upon arrival at the circuit on all three days.