Victory at Portimao for Sam Lowes would match 2017 start by Franco Morbidelli

The consistency shown so far in 2021 by Sam Lowes is similar to the form that made him a Moto2 championship contender last year, before suffering a wrist injury in Valencia. 

The win at Le Mans, followed by double victory at Aragon in 2020 saw the former MotoGP rider take over the championship lead; a position he currently possesses.

Victory this weekend at the Algarve International Circuit would be his third consecutive win, which would also be the first time a rider has won three straight Moto2 races to begin a season since Franco Morbidelli did so in 2017.

The last rider before Lowes to win three consecutive Moto2 races was 2019 world champion Alex Marquez. 

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s race, Lowes said: "I can’t wait to get to Portimao. It’s a circuit I love and last year I couldn’t enjoy riding there as much as I’d like with the injury. 

"But I have good memories of fighting for the world title until the closing laps and taking a podium. 

"The track is technical and I’m excited to get there to continue our strong start to the season and to see what’s possible now we are in Europe. But the clear target is to fight for the podium again."

Lowes has been mightily impressive through two rounds, as he took a dominating race one win, followed by a much closer affair at the Doha Grand Prix as he held off Remy Gardner on the final lap. 

But with the Australian taking his first career Moto2 victory in Portugal last year, and the current form of both riders, another close battle could be on the cards in Portimao.