Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes has unfortunately been ruled out of race action during this weekend’s Portuguese WorldSBK round in Estoril due to injury

Despite setting the second fastest time in FP3 earlier today, Lowes was declared unfit for today’s Superpole and Race 1 and the Sunday schedule due to a rib injury suffered during a training accident in the build-up to round 11 in Estoril

Lowes will now rest and spend the next few days undergoing intense treatment as he strives to be fit for 2025 season finale next weekend at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto in Spain

^{// SAM LOWES: UNFIT}

Eighth fastest on day one in Portugal yesterday, Lowes set the second fastest time in the 20-minute FP3 session this morning on board his Ducati Panigale V4R machine with an impressive 1:35.560.

Only reigning WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu was faster than the Briton, but immediately after the session Lowes reported concerns about rib pain on the left side of his body.

While clearly fast over short runs, the worsening pain and discomfort for the 35-year-old made it clear that completing over 50 racing laps in Estoril was going to prove incredibly challenging.

And after consulting with the WorldSBK medical team, it was agreed that the best course of action for Lowes was to withdraw from the remaining track action in the penultimate round of 2025.

“It’s very disappointing not to be racing in Estoril”

“It is very disappointing to be ruled out for the remainder of the weekend in Estoril. I picked up a rib injury during training, and it hasn’t felt too bad before coming to Portugal. But after a full day yesterday on the bike and those laps today in FP3 I’m feeling more and more pain. It became clear that I was going to find it very difficult to do full race distance and the better and safer option is to sit this round out. It’s disappointing for myself and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team but now my full focus is giving my maximum in these next few days to recover and hopefully get to ride in the final round in Jerez.”