---
title: "Lowes expecting nothing less than a podium challenge"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/03/29/lowes-expecting-nothing-less-podium-challenge/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "SBK"
published: "2017-03-29T15:22:41Z"
modified: "2017-03-29T15:23:26Z"
---

# Lowes expecting nothing less than a podium challenge

Pata Yamaha’s Alex Lowes has stated that a podium challenge on his YZF-R1 following a strong start to the year is the minimum target for this weekend’s Aragon round.

The British rider endured a difficult first year on the Yamaha in 2016, but a strong pre-season and big steps forward with the Crescent Racing-run R1 has seen Lowes a top five threat in the opening two rounds.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/643312368.jpg)

Lowes fought for the podium in both races in Phillip Island, and bagged a fifth and fourth in Thailand to come into the third round of the year 51 points adrift of championship leader Jonathan Rea in fourth.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on my R1 and kick-starting the European season. Aragon is a track I really enjoy, and I believe we can continue our good start to the season there,” said Lowes.

The Yamaha rider hasn’t the greatest of records at the 5.1km MotorLand Aragon. So far he is yet to make the top five, his best results being an eighth and a ninth in last year’s event having started from the front row.

Lowes’ last Aragon race appearance also didn’t end as well as he’d have hoped. Deputising for the injured Bradley Smith in MotoGP for the Tech 3 team last year, Lowes crashed heavily during practice and was forced to sit the rest of the weekend out.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/645170772.jpg)

Despite the Spanish circuit proving not be all that prosperous for the Briton, the pace he has shown this season has him optimistic of challenging for the podium, providing he and his team hit he ground running on Friday.

“My goal is no less than to be challenging for the podiums now. I am confident that if the Pata Yamaha team and I do our job in the Friday practices then we have a good chance to be there.”