Moto2: Sam Lowes returns to Gresini

Sam Lowes will return to the Gresini Moto2 team for next year’s world championship.

The Englishman claimed two wins with the team in 2016, followed by an ill-fated move to the Aprilia-Gresini MotoGP squad.

The former World Supersport champion stepped back to Moto2 this season with the KTM machinery at the Swiss Innovative Investors squad and will come full circle in 2019 by re-signing with the Gresini Moto2 outfit. Gresini is yet to confirm its 2019 chassis, but is expected to stick with Kalex.

“I am very happy to be working again with Gresini racing and Federal Oil,” Lowes said. “We have good memories together and unfinished business from both sides.

“I have learnt a lot the last couple of seasons and now it’s the time to show it. I know the high level of this team and have 100% faith in them: my motivation is as high as ever and look forward to enjoying a new successful partnership with Gresini Racing, its partners and sponsors. Onit!”

Team boss Fausto Gresini, who has also retained the backing from Federal Oil as title sponsor, and is naturally delighted to secure the 27-year-old.

“Sam is a welcome return,” Gresini said. “He’s been with us for two seasons already and the first one in Moto2 was one to remember.

“I’m happy to be counting on his professionalism and talent, and with Federal Oil on our side again I’m confident we will be back towards the front of the field in the middleweight class.”

With Moto2 getting a new Magneti-Marelli ECU alongside the switch to Triumph engines for 2019, electronics knowledge could well have been a factor in Lowes returning to Gresini, given the team’s extensive experience with the (similar) Magneti-Marelli MotoGP ECU.

Lowes – currently twelfth in this year’s standings – produced his most successful Moto2 campaign, in terms of podiums, with Gresini in 2016 collecting two wins, five pole positions and four additional rostrums on his way to fifth place in the riders’ standings.