Pata Yamaha’s Alex Lowes determined to triumph at Donington Park

“I’m excited about racing in front of my home fans at Donington Park this weekend. I only get one chance to do this in a season and I’m really looking forward to it. The Donington Park track is so much fun to ride. Especially the section that takes in Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin, which is easily my favourite part of the circuit. While most of the track is fast and flowing, the last sector is more stop-start but always brings close racing. The target has to be to win in front of my home crowd, especially after coming so close last time out in Misano,” says Lowes as quoted from Yamaha Racing.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“I knew as soon as I’d had the surgery on the wrist that a return to racing at Donington Park was a possibility, so that’s what I’ve been working towards since. I haven’t lost any strength in the wrist, which was my main concern. The movement is still slightly restricted, but I’ve been having physiotherapy since Misano to improve this. It has hardly impacted on my training and I’ve been able to train with the same intensity as I did before the injury, so I hope to be passed fit to ride this weekend. It’s good to have Tarran there on standby, as the medical assessment and actually racing the bike are two very different things. I will only really know if I’m fit to race, rather than just fit to ride, after FP1 on Friday.”

Marco Melandri ( GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“I’m looking forward to Donington Park, after what was for me a good weekend last time out in Misano. Donington is a track I like and one that suits my riding style. Judging from Michael van der Mark’s double win there last season, it’s also a track at which the Yamaha works very well indeed. I need to work on qualifying, to improve my position on the grid for the races. But I think we have the potential to really make a good race this weekend. The weather is looking good, which I’m happy about, and now I can’t wait to get started.”

Sandro Cortese ( GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“I can’t wait to get to Donington after we made a big step forward in Misano, where I was able to fight for the podium but wasn’t quite able to bring it home. The goal for this weekend in Donington is to work on the same level, fight again with the top guys to show that Misano wasn’t an anomaly and finish the three races in the top six.”

Loris Baz (Ten Kate Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“We made some steps in the dry in Misano, finding a good setting with the front. However, we are still missing something at the rear. So it’s good we have two back-to-back races, starting in Donington this weekend. I feel really confident going into the weekend. It takes a bit of time to find the right set-up for me. This is because I am a bit taller and heavier than the other Yamaha riders. But we have some ideas for improvement. I really like the Donington track and I’ve finished on the podium there previously. So the goal this weekend is to close the gap to the top five again.