BOGDANKA PTR HONDA’s Sam Lowes heads to Monza in Italy for round four of the World Supersport Championship looking to challenge for a strong podium again on Sunday.
Mathew Scholtz on the other Bogdanka PTR Honda also aims for a confidence boosting points scoring finish at the race that takes place at 1330 on Sunday, May 6th.
Bogdanka Honda PTR’s Pawel Szkopek is set to miss the upcoming rounds at Monza and Donington Park as he’s still recovering from a broken leg with the team yet to announce a possible replacement.
Sam Lowes: “Monza is a track I like so I’m looking forward to getting there and starting the weekend. Whatever the weather’s going to be like I’m looking forward to the race and want to make up for Assen and put in a solid performance. Monza is a bit of a strange track. The lap starts with a tight chicane followed by some fast, flowing corners, a long straight leading into the fast right hander and another long and fast straight. It’s a place with a lot of history and with the long straights and slipstream it always produces some good, close racing.”
Mathew Scholtz: “This will be my first time at Monza so I don’t really know what to expect but the team told me that it’s a really fast track so it seems it could be a lot of fun. Let’s see how things go once we’re there but I’m definitely looking for a good result because we have good pace. We just need to put it all together now. The tight chicanes can be a bit tricky, because you can easily out brake yourself but I hope to get faster and faster over the weekend and challenge for a good position on Sunday. I don’t mind if it’s wet this weekend and I’m sure we’ll have a positive weekend regardless of the weather.”
Pawel Szkopek: “My recovery is taking longer than expected as the injury of the tibia was a bit more complex that we first thought which means I’ll miss the two upcoming back-to-back races; but I’m set to meet the doctors again soon. I hope to start my rehabilitation by Donington Park and my aim is to return to action at Misano.”
Simon Buckmaster, Bogdanka PTR Honda Team Manager: “Sam missed his chance to lead the World Championship sliding off at Assen. He’s had the last two pole positions and the bike and Sam have improved; he should be in the fight for another podium finish. Mathew showed pace at Assen but was one of many riders to be caught out by the conditions; he is riding well this year and we expect him to get a good position at Monza – the PTR bikes are quick.”