Yahoo Autos Sam Lowes embracing new challenges in WorldSBK
After a nine-year stint in Moto2, which yielded 10 Grand Prix victories, 26 podium finishes, 19 pole positions and a career-best of third in the world championship, Sam Lowes has migrated over to the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike Word Championship for 2024.
“I always had a goal to race in World Superbike, but I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock,” said Lowes. “I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good GP career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. But I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a Superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things.”
The quiet confidence shared by Lowes and the entire Marc VDS racing team was brought into sharp focus at the Pirelli Catalunya Round when Lowes took control of the lead in Race 1 and held station up to lap five when he crashed out on turn five. Even though Lowes lamented the miscue, down deep, he knew that he and the Ducati Panigale V4 R both have the right stuff for a successful season.
“At Barcelona we should have really been there,” said Lowes. “Fighting for the podiums is great. And if you’re on the podium, you can fight for wins.
Currently 13th in WorldSBK points after two rounds, Lowes will look to the TT Circuit Assen rounds on April 20 and 21 to further gain momentum in his goal to become a WorldSBK Champion.
“[The change] has come at a good time for me,” he said. “It’s new motivation, new changes and a new series and a very different series. We get three races a weekend. There is a different format and different bikes and different riders and different tires. There has been a lot of change for me and I’m 33 years-old now and it has been mega timing. It’s like starting again in some way, and I think it has all given me that refresh for another few years. Yes, I’m really, really enjoying it.”
Looking at the 2024 WorldSBK season as a blank sheet of paper, Lowes has quickly come to terms with the Marc VDS Racing V4 90-degree Desmodromic-powered Ducati motorcycle.
