Ahead of the first WorldSBK round to take place at the Cremona track in late September, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and Sam Lowes took the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Italian venue during an official two-day test session this week.

• Lowes quickly found the 3.7km track to his liking and while working predominantly on ergonomic changes to his Ducati Panigale VR 4 while learning the 13-turn layout, the Briton impressed on day one and ended with the fastest time of 1:29.976.
• Torrential rain disrupted the afternoon session on day one and Lowes opted not to venture on Pirellis rain rubber. But on a full dry second day the 33-year-old shone once again and improved by the huge amount of eight tenths-of-a-second to close with a best of 1:29.137. That placed him fourth overall.
• Satisfied with the excellent progress made and a busy work schedule successfully completed, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team opted to finish the Cremona test early ahead of another important two-day session in Misano next week.

/// SAM LOWES: 4th, 1:29.137, 139 laps

“We worked on a few set-up options that will improve our package”

“It was great to get a first experience of the Cremona track on a WorldSBK machine and this test also gave us the opportunity to work on a few set-up options that will improve our package in the next races. I enjoyed the track a lot more than I was expecting, and I want to thank the team for all their hard work. We are not just resting in this period off, and we had some new parts to try to make me feel comfortable. One key area of working was modifying my position on the bike, and I feel in that area we made some very positive steps. My pace has been strong from the first exit here and we never focused on an outright fast lap, so I feel strong and confident that when we return here later in the season I can be very competitive. Now we’ll rest for a few days before getting back out on track next week in Misano. That is a track I love and I’m excited to try a superbike for the first time there.”