Sam Lowes to join WSBK in 2024
British rider Sam Lowes is set to bid farewell to Moto2 after a successful nine-year tenure as he makes the transition to World Superbike (WSBK) for the 2024 season. Lowes will join his twin brother Alex Lowes in the WSBK championship, riding the potent Ducati Panigale V4 R for the Marc VDS Racing Team.
Sam Lowes' illustrious Moto2 career, which began in 2014, is highlighted by 10 wins, 26 podium finishes, 19 pole positions, and a third-place championship finish. His switch to Marc VDS Racing in 2020 propelled him into a consistent race winner.
Lowes expressed his excitement about entering a new phase in his racing journey, stating, "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 move to World Superbike marks the realization of a longstanding goal for Lowes, who had previously won the World Supersport title in 2013. He aims to embrace the challenge of riding a superbike and expand his motorsport horizons.
Marc VDS Racing will simultaneously continue its presence in Moto2 with two riders while venturing into a single-bike WSBK effort with Sam Lowes. The team currently leads the Moto2 standings, with Lowes' teammate Tony Arbolino leading the riders' championship.
Team owner Marc van der Straten expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming venture into World Superbike with Sam Lowes, underlining the pride in joining forces with Ducati, known for its formidable presence in the championship. He characterized the shift as a timely opportunity for expansion and diversification after 14 successful years in MotoGP.
Lowes' move to World Superbike, alongside his brother and in collaboration with Ducati, promises to inject fresh energy into the championship and adds intrigue to the evolving landscape of motorcycle racing. As the 2024 season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the impact that the Lowes brothers and their partnership with the Marc VDS Racing Team will have on the competitive dynamics of World Superbike.
