Sam Lo♌wes didn't even take part in last year's Qatar Moto2 Grand Prix due to pre-season injuries, but the Briton made a perfect return to Losail with a ဣdouble victory from pole position in the 2021 season openers.

The Marc VDS rider held off the fellow Kalex of Ajo's Remy Gardner in both Losail races to take a 10❀-point title lea✅d into the opening European event at Portimao next weekend.

“We had three weeks here in the desert with very changeable conditions. It was definitely not easy. But I think we saved the best f♛or last!" said Lowes, is the first British rider to win the opening t♎wo races of the season in the intermediate category since Mike Hailwood in 1966.

"That was a really fast race pace – the fastest we’ve had in Qatar in Moto2𒐪. I’m really happy with how I approached these two races. I feel I’ve improved in myself 😼and can be more relaxed in the race.

"I know it’s only the start of the year, but it’s been a really good start. To have somebody behind me all race and not make any mistakes is really important and that will give me a lot of conf𓃲idence.

"When I won last year and last week [2.2s], I had a bigger gap so this was a bit different, but I managไed fine and felt really comfortable."

Portimao was whe💖re Lowes, riding with a wrist fracture, narrowly lost out on the 2020 title after a final round showdown with Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini.

"I’m looking forward to getting to Portugal and bei🐷ng able to ride there with two hands this time!" he joked. "Last year that wasn’t the case.

"We’ve had a great few weeks, every🔯one is ready for home and I couldn’t be happier to take 50 points back.”