Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team claimed their first WorldSBK podium on an unforgettable day at the iconic Assen track in the Netherlands

Less than 24 hours after storming to his first WorldSBK pole position and fighting for the top three in a frantic Race 1, Lowes was not to be denied his debut podium with a brilliant display of controlled aggression during a wet Superpole clash.

 He then produced another strong challenge for the podium in Race 2 before taking the chequered flag in fourth position to move up to sixth in the World Championship standings with three rounds completed.

^{/// SAM LOWES:
SUPERPOLE RACE: 2ND
RACE 2: 4TH}

After two days of sunny but cool weather, the 11-lap Superpole encounter kicked off on a wet 4.55km surface and Lowes initially dropped back to eighth position while he carefully calculated grip levels and built confidence in the tricky conditions.

It was a tactic that paid off superbly and by lap four, Lowes had charged back into third with overtakes on Yari Montella, Remy Gardner, twin brother Alex Lowes, Andrea Locatelli and Alvaro Bautista before finishing in a stunning second.

When it was lights out for Race 2 just over three hours later the Assen surface was completely dry and launching away from second on the grid, Lowes was immediately pitched into another enthralling multi-rider battle for the podium.

Lowes piled the pressure on Remy Gardner in the fight for third in the closing laps, but he crossed the line just 0.4s behind the Australian to claim top Independent Team honours again.

“It’s a great first podium and we deserved it”

“That was a great day for me and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team. It feels fantastic to get my first WorldSBK podium after the disappointment of yesterday when we had the pace to be on the podium but missed out. It just felt great in the Superpole race to be battling again at the front. I made a mistake in the first corner and dropped back but I got my confidence back quickly and to fight through to get my first podium just feels mega. It’s a great reward for everybody in the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and I think we deserved the podium after all the hard work we’ve put in. Race 2 wasn’t easy because I chose the hard front tyre and I expected that to help me towards the end. But when I tried to push I was missing the speed and that caused quite a drop in front grip in the middle of the race. I was holding a consistent pace and we were very close to the podium again which is very positive. I finished top Independent Team rider again so we have to be happy and now I can’t wait for Cremona.”