Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team enjoyed a brilliant first Sunday race day in the WorldSBK Championship today at Phillip Island, with the British rider starring in a thrilling Superpole Race and feature Race 2.

• The Briton’s first taste of the exciting Superpole Race format over 10 laps proved to be hugely positive, with Lowes finishing just 1.6s off the podium in eighth position.
• Lowes looked anything but a WorldSBK rookie in Race 2 when he quickly fired himself into the top three behind Andrea Locatelli and reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista before the scheduled 20-lap encounter was red flagged after a heavy crash for Jonathan Rea.
• Race 2 was subsequently reduced from 20 to 11 laps, which removed the need for a compulsory pit stop to change tyres. Once the action resumed, Lowes was once again right in the heart of some incredibly close and dramatic action in Australia and after placing as high as fifth he eventually finished only 3.4s off the win in an excellent seventh.

/// SAM LOWES: Superpole Race: 8^th.  /. Race 2: 7^th 

“I really enjoyed both races and the team did an amazing job”

“Normally I wouldn’t be saying a seventh and an eighth place is an amazing result, but we must remember this is my first race weekend in WorldSBK and I have to be extremely happy with how things have gone. I enjoyed both races a lot and importantly we have been able to gain a lot of experience to help us in the future. How to manage the rear tyre is something I can improve because I genuinely think I could have fought for the podium today with a bit more experience. But I can only be happy with how I rode. I felt good on the bike and I think this weekend is a good base to build on. We finished all three races and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team did an amazing job this weekend. This was our first weekend in WorldSBK and it was a new experience, but they all did an awesome job and we can head home happy. I also want to congratulate my brother Alex on his incredible weekend. I’m so happy for him and our family and now we’ve got to hunt him down at the next one!”