Lowes: My only target is to make the Kawasaki feel like my own

Alex Lowes says adapting to his Kawasaki ZX-10RR continues to be “the only target” at the pre-season Jerez test before heading to the 2020 World Superbike opener next month.

The British rider makes the switch from Yamaha to Kawasaki this season and after four consecutive campaigns competing on the YZF-R1 he’s spent the winter adjusting to the new machinery.

With Kawasaki missing the Portimao test later this month, the two-day Jerez test represents Lowes’s final opportunity on the ZX-10RR before heading to Australia for the final pre-season test and the opening round at Phillip Island.

While stepping up his preparations and setup for the opening round, Lowes will continue to concentrate on becoming familiar and comfortable with his Kawasaki before hunting any eye-catching lap times.

“We will start getting focused and dialled in for the first race,” Lowes said. “We had a good first test back in November and since then there have been a few little things that we highlighted I wanted to improve.

“Even still a few little things with riding position, things like that, so we will focus on them and get as comfy as possible on the bike. That is actually the only target I have got; make sure the bike feels like my own before we get over to Australia and get the year started.

“I am looking forward to the tests after the winter break and it is going to be nice to get back out riding. With only these two days scheduled before we get out to Australia for the opening round I am hoping for some decent weather to get back up to speed and blow the winter cobwebs off.”

Lowes partners reigning World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea at the factory Kawasaki squad this year after Yamaha signed Toprak Razgatlioglu in his place for 2020.