After a 'bonus' podium while riding through the pain of tendonitis in Qatar, Sam Lowes admits his left wrist still isn't where he hoped it would be heading into round t𒉰wo of the Moto2 season at Ma♍ndalika this weekend.

The Marc VDS rider is th🦋us likely to face a🍒nother teeth-gritting weekend, but Lusail proved he can still be competitive.

"I’m feeling positive because the first rouꦺnd was a real bonus considering how difficult it was with m𒆙y left wrist issue," said Lowes, who snatched third after last corner contact between Augusto Fernandez and Ai Ogura.

"I’ve had a lot of treatmeꦑnt, but th𝓰e recovery isn’t where I want it to be. The feeling is not as good as I expected but Qatar showed I can still be competitive, and the aim will be to score more important points for the Championship while I work hard to get back to full fitness.”

Unlike the MotoGP class, Moto2 and Moto3 arrive at Mandalika with no testing experience of the new Indon𓂃esian trac🐷k.

But Lowes has been able to call upon the knowledge of twin𓆉 brother Alex, who took part in last November's Worl⛦dSBK event.

“I’m really excited to get to Indonesia and have the chance to ride a new circuit," Sam said. "I’ve spoken to♔ my brother (Alex) to get some tips on the track and what is it like and he said it was really nice and enjoyable to ride.

"I’ve been to Indonesia before for sponsor events earlier in my Moto2 career and the big passion the fans have for the sport in incredible. When you💎 have that much support and know people love the sport it gives you a lot of motivation to go there and put on a good show."

As well as being the first Indonesian round since 1997, Mandalika will be the first motorcycle grand prix in South East Asia since🐼 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

VR46's Celestino Vietti leads the Moto2 standings h𝕴eading into the weekend, after a commanding six-second victory over Aron Canet in Qatar.