VOL. 52 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 24, 2015 P99
team this year, which is always a
hard situation as well. Randy has
not had that much experience
on a Superbike so with Sylvain
and me next year—no fault of
Randy's—it can be a bit more of a
partnership and we can push the
project forward."
Lowes understands well that
his new teammate is so expe-
rienced he has ridden virtually
every kind of machine in the past
few seasons. "Sylvain has ridden
everything and done pretty good
on everything," said Lowes,
before joking, "…so I am looking
forward to learning as much as
I can off him, and then keeping
a few bits for myself and try and
beat him! Sylvain is a nice guy
and I like him."
In the middle of the year the
general opinion in the World
Superbike paddock was that the
fast Lowes and proven champion
Guintoli would be something of a
dream combination of those riders
who were available—the classic
blend of youth and experience.
Et voila, that's the final human
shape of Yamaha's re-entry to
planet World Superbike.
With his twin brother Sam rid-
ing in Moto2 in recent seasons,
in what is the main paddock in
world racing, Alex must have
designs on MotoGP one day?
Not unless it is in the right way,
according to Alex.
"Without sounding negative
I just want to be on a competi-
tive bike in the class I'm in," said
Lowes. "It is difficult to turn up
on Sunday knowing you can ride
as hard as you want, and you
might ride better than someone
who is finishing in front of you.
That is the most difficult thing.
So to go to GPs and be on a
privateer bike would be really
difficult. My goal has got to be to
try and win in World Superbike
and if I do that in the next couple
of years with Yamaha you never
know what could happen, really.
I am not worried about my age
but in terms of someone taking
a chance you may need to be a
little bit younger. But if you are
world champion it is not really
as much of a chance. Rossi is
doing alright and he is quite a bit
older than me!" CN
THE
OBJECTIVE
IS TO WIN.
THAT IS WHAT
WE WANT
TO DO AND
YAMAHA IS
COMMITTED TO
THIS. – GUINTOLI