Sam Lowes, Marc VDS Off To WorldSBK
Cycle News Staff | July 18, 2023
Moto2 stalwart Sam Lowes will finish his Grand Prix career at the end of this season and switch to the WorldSBK Championship in 2024 with his current team, Marc VDS.
Riding a Ducati Panigale V4 R, Lowes will return to the series in which he won the 2013 WorldSSP Championship for Yamaha. Over a 10-year span in the Grand Prix paddock, Lowes has so far taken seven wins, 15 podiums and 12 pole positions, all in the Moto2 class.
“I always had a goal to race in World Superbike, and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step,” Lowes said. “But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. 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.”
Marc VDS team owner Marc Van Der Straten confirmed that although the team will remain in the Moto2 paddock with two new riders (hinting that current Lowes teammate Tony Arbolino will be on the MotoGP grid next year), the team is ready for expansion into WorldSBK.
“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship,” said Van Der Straten. “And it gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge.
“We have competed in Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP and MotoE and won three titles. And our commitment to Moto2 remains as strong as ever and I look forward to enjoying a lot more success in the future in a class where our journey on two wheels started. Moto2 has been the platform for us to gain a wealth of experience to continue growing and replicate our achievements in another world-class championship like WorldSBK.” CN