The rider who intends to be “best of t♎he rest” at the Dutch WorldSBK has identified himself.

Marc VDS Racing Team’s Sam Lowes believes he can be the top independent rider on Saturday a𓆏t Assen.

The third round of the World Superbikꦑe Champion꧅ship saw Lowes finish sixth in Friday practice.

“Really go✅od,” he reacted to his practice sessions. “Assen was a track where I had a nice race last ཧyear. Being my second year in the class, I kept that momentum going.

“It suits the Moto2 riding style. After many years there, it’s easieꦆr for me to adapt.

“We made a go🦩od step between sessions. In the afternoon with the new development rear I did a longer runඣ, and was happy.

“It’s a positive day.

“We aꦺre missing a bit to the top two or three guys. But, best ofꦦ the rest, in the next group…

“Let’s see if we can find a bit tonꦑight for tomorrow.”

Lowes know where he was going wrong on Friday.

“Sector 1 I am losing a b♎it. Consistently, it’s one-and-a-half or two tenths that♚ I need to find,” he admitted.

“The good thing about losing it in one place is that it’s ꦓeasier to impro♑ve, hopefully.

“The front two rows in qualifying is always the goal. It’s so important now to start♕ near the front.

“It is important🅘 to do a good quali with the SCQ rear. Then fight for the top five in the race.

“Honestly, given today’s performance with my long run, I did 15 laps and my pace was good, being top five and the top independent [on ꦦSaturday] would be a good day.”