Miguel Oliveira gains WorldSBK veteran praise after “fantastic” Portugal races

Alex Lowes has heaped praise on Miguel Oliveira after the Portuguese rider took his first podiums in WorldSBK.

Oliveira was third in all three races in Portimao, while Lowes was fourth, but the British rider was much more competitive in Sunday’s two races, particularly Race 2.

“I felt more competitive [on Sunday than Saturday] – I had the same result, but a bit further away [in Race 1],” Alex Lowes told WorldSBK.com after finishing fourth in Race 2.

“Today I was really close to the podium. But it’s not easy to race against those guys [BMW and Ducati]. 

“I feel like our strengths on our bike, turns six and seven, the middle sector at Portimao, we can be so fast and really gain a lot of time. But in that part of the track there’s not many places to pass. 

“So, I didn’t feel like I could really attack, especially in the last race I used a lot of tyre to try to come back, maybe three-quarters [through] the race, to get back into a position to fight for the podium. Then, when I arrived, I didn’t have much grip left.”

Lowes, who this year has become the most experienced full-time WorldSBK rider on the current grid, added praise for Miguel Oliveira, whose three podiums came in just his second World Superbike round.

“I pushed until the last lap, last corner in case Miguel [Oliveira] made a mistake, but honestly fair play to him,” Lowes said.

“It was quite good to ride behind him, the first time I’ve ridden with him in a race, let’s say, and he was riding the bike fantastic. 

“He’s brought a big crowd here this weekend which is fantastic for World Superbike. So, in one way happy for him to get on the podium, but to be so close it’s a bit frustrating that we couldn’t at least get one podium from our day’s work.”

No podium “frustrating”

Lowes finished Race 1 over four seconds behind Oliveira in the final podium position, but was only 0.169 seconds adrift at the end of Race 2. The Bimota rider said it was “frustrating” to not be able to make a pass.

“Frustrating, yes, because the podium was so close, and you always feel like– you look back and you think ‘I could’ve done a bit better’,” he said.

“But on the bike I felt like I was on the limit every lap, I really felt like we took a lot from the bike, I put myself in a good position with good starts, I was at the front of the races. 

“I don’t feel like we underperformed, I feel like we were where we should be, just always frustrating when the podium is so close. 

“Happy with the job that I did, really happy with the job the team did, we’ve been working well all weekend – have to say thank you to them. I’m always looking forward to Assen and we’ll try to get on the podium there.”

About Assen, Lowes added: “It’s a track that I enjoy. I have good memories from Assen: my first-ever World Superbike podium was there. 

“We can always expect different weather; we’ve had all sorts from snow to beautiful sunshine. I think our bike should work well there. 

“Last year here in Portimao I didn't get a point all weekend, I struggled, even though the pace was not bad, so to have such a strong weekend gives me good confidence going into Assen because I think we can be strong there.