Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team are back in action this weekend in round three of this year’s WorldSBK Championship, which takes place at one of the most iconic and historic tracks in the world

Known globally as the Cathedral of Speed, Lowes is ready to tackle the legendary Assen track this weekend as the Briton looks to excel once again on board his Ducati Panigale V4R machine after a stunning performance in the Netherlands in 2025.

The action starts at 1020am on Friday morning with FP1 taking place over 45 minutes.

After three gritty fifth place finishes last time out in Portugal while still recovering from left hand and wrist fractures suffered at round one in Australia, Lowes has put himself through more intense rehab in the last three weeks to ensure he is approaching full fitness for this weekend’s all-important Dutch duel.

With strength and mobility significantly improved, Lowes now can’t wait to take on the spectacular challenge of one of his favourite tracks in Assen.

A sixth place in Race 2 in 2024 was the best result of his debut campaign in WorldSBK, but he really announced himself as a front running force last year with a truly stunning weekend.

Lowes powered to a maiden pole position in Assen last season and then sensationally charged to the first of his five podium finishes in WorldSBK with second position in the 10-lap Superpole encounter.

Lowes is also a WorldSSP winner and Moto2 podium finisher at Assen previously and he is relishing the chance to bring home more silverware at the end of this weekend’s action.

“I want to put myself in the podium fight”

“It has been nice to have this break after Portimão to get my body and my wrist in better shape and now I can’t wait to get back on the bike in Assen. I’m sure this weekend I’ll be able to ride without pain and racing at a track like Assen is always a great pleasure. I love the track and throughout my career there I have been very competitive and successful in different categories and last year in WorldSBK I was really strong. Although I wasn’t at my best physically in Portimão, I came away with some strong results and now I need to build on that and put myself into the podium fight this weekend. That’s the target but we need to see what the weather will be like because that can always throw you a curve ball in Assen. The fans are always great there and it will be cool to put on a show for them.”