Lowes "at ease straight away" in Aprilia MotoGP test

The Briton logged a total of 129 laps across two days at the Italian track aboard the RS-GP, which he will ride in the premier class next season as he steps up from Moto2.

He shared the track with Aprilia tester Mike di Meglio, as well as Ducati testers Casey Stoner and Michele Pirro.

"My first laps on the Aprilia RS-GP were an experience that I'll never forget," said Lowes. "When I twisted the throttle the speed I could feel was incredible. It was a brilliant feeling.

"On the second run, I had already begun to manage the power better and I tried to understand how to take the best advantage of it.

"The RS-GP surprised me with an agility that I hadn't expected, so much that the night before the test I was quite nervous because I was imagining a much harder bike to ride, but that's not at all the way it was, although nothing is easy on a MotoGP bike."

Albesiano was full of praise for Lowes, suggested that his laptimes were encouraging - even if this was the not the main focus of the test.

"I'd say that we could not have had a better start," said the Italian. "Sam got on a bike that he had never seen before, having to deal with a series of new features that range from the available power to the carbon brakes.

"He was at ease straight away and he also proved to be very analytical and precise in the indications he gave the team, as well as with his work method.

"Naturally, we were not looking at times, but even from this point of view we are quite pleased with these two days."

Lowes, who currently runs third in the Moto2 standings, will be partnered by Suzuki refugee Aleix Espargaro next season at Aprilia, who finally announced the Spaniard after Sunday's Dutch TT at Assen.