Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes made a much-anticipated return to WorldSBK action today at the Estoril track in Portugal

• Recovering well from the fractured left collarbone he suffered on July 21 during the Superpole race at the Most track in the Czech Republic, Lowes completed 51 laps on his Ducati Panigale V4 R machine today.
• The Estoril test was the perfect opportunity for Lowes to assess the strength and mobility in the recovering shoulder while also learning the 4.182km track ahead of the WorldSBK round there in mid-October.
• Having unfortunately missed the last WorldSBK race weekend in Portimao, the 33-year-old will now continue his intensive rehabilitation to be in peak physical condition for the next round at the Magny-Cours track in France early next month.

/// SAM LOWES: 51 laps

“It was great to be back on the bike”

“It felt great to be back on the bike after this recent lay-off and the laps I completed today were positive. I’ve never raced at Estoril before, so this was a good opportunity to learn the track and get an understanding of lines and braking markers for when we come back in October. A key part of the test though was to understand where I’m at with the recovery of the shoulder and while it went well, I still have some pain. And the shoulder area is still quite weak, so I will go away now and work hard on making sure I am in the best possible shape for Magny-Cours. It was just nice to be back on the bike though and being with the team again and I’m really looking forward to racing in France.”