Ahead of the Portuguese round of the 2025 WorldSBK Championship later this month, Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes completed crucial preparation work at the Algarve International Circuit

Eager to make up for lost track time when pre-season testing at Portimao was severely impacted by rain in January, Lowes returned to Portugal for a planned two-day test at the rollercoaster 4.59km track.

Rain once again played a decisive role in proceedings but Lowes was still able to carry out important set-up work on board the Ducati Panigale V4R ahead of round two at Portimao on the weekend of March 28-30.

/// SAM LOWES: 1:40.928, 101 LAPS

Testing on day one on Friday morning got off to a slow start with a wet track greeting Lowes following overnight rain.

Having waited for track conditions to improve, Lowes was able to complete 53 laps with a best time of 1:41.929.

Track conditions were far from ideal on the second day, with rain falling prior to the lunch break.

Lowes completed a further 48 laps on day two and he was able to improve his pace by a second while assessing a range of set-up modifications.

“I’m sure we can be competitive during the race weekend”

“Unfortunately, the weather meant we weren’t able to complete as many laps as we planned but the work we did on track was very positive. The weather meant we couldn’t do the long run I wanted, and we never managed to do a time attack. But we managed to get the set-up more dialled in for the race weekend and I’m sure when we return in a couple of weeks, we can be competitive and build on what was a strong first round in Phillip Island. I always look forward to racing at Portimão and it will be great to be back later this month.”