Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes made a superb start to the 2025 WorldSBK campaign at the spectacular Phillip Island track in Australia on Friday

A strong first day showing saw Lowes finish less than three-tenths-of-a-second away from the top three as Ducati’s Panigale V4R dominated by occupying six of the top eight places.

 The 34-year-old completed 20 laps in this morning’s opening 45-minute session and he set the 10^th fastest time with a 1:29.929, which was only 0.1s outside of his best pace set during a two-day test at Phillip Island earlier this week.

/// SAM LOWES: 7TH, 1:29.799, 40 LAPS

With temperatures reaching a pleasant 21 degrees for the afternoon’s FP2 session, Lowes completed an additional 20 laps and an excellent lap of 1:29.799 saw him set the sixth fastest time to end day one seventh quickest overall.

Race distances for Race 1 and Race 2 this weekend have been set at 20 laps and both will include a mandatory pit stop. The flag-to-flag format has been implemented as a precautionary measure in response to unpredictable weather and a wide range of track temperatures created by Phillip Island’s unique layout and challenging surface.

 “Today was a really positive start”

“That was a really positive way to get the season started. The conditions were hotter than at the test earlier this week but that gave us a good chance to assess the rear tyres and I tried both options available. We were able to confirm our plans from the test and now I’m just looking to improve in a couple of parts of the track. I can find more time in turn two and also in the last sector and that is something to work on tomorrow. I’m now looking forward to tomorrow and getting a good grid position in Superpole. I’m sure we can be on the first three rows and with a good start I know I can have a good result in Race 1.”