SBK, the strategic importance of Lowes: his future and career on the line

As we await the upcoming Assen round, WorldSBK enjoys a short break. So far, the production-derived series has completed four rounds, at Aragón, Estoril, Misano and Donington. With thirteen races scheduled on the calendar (all of which will hopefully play out), this means we’re not yet mid-way through the championship.

And yet the overall standings are already very telling, the world title currently contested by three riders, or rather Toprak Razgatlioglu, Johnny Rea and Scott Redding. The Turk has 183 points, the Northern Irishman 181 and the Englishman 117, the Ducati rider appearing somewhat out of breath compared to the Yamaha and Kawasaki flagbearers.

And just behind them is another Brit, Lincolnshire rider Alex Lowes. In his second season with team Provec KRT, Lowes hopes to keep his seat with the Akashi team. The number 22 rider currently lies a long way behind Razga – 69 points behind in fact – but he’s only three points from Scott Redding.

First up, Assen

Alex’s contract is up at the end of the season. The various parties have already been talking of course, and Lowes knows that if he wants to keep his place with Kawasaki, he’ll need to be fast, of course, but in the right places and at the right time. At Assen, for example.

In Holland, Johnny Rea will be wanting to respond to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s latest attacks. With a view to the standings, sure, but also to buck the psychological trend of Donington, as crashing on home turf and relinquishing the championship leadership to the Turk is not something that the Cannibal appreciated.

And this is why the Van Drenthe track and the Dutch spectators are in for a show. And this is why Lowes will need to do better than he has recently. The men in green were very pleased with the triple podium he scored at Aragón, though less happy with subsequent results, although the Englishman did do well at Donington. If he wants to stay where he is, Alex will need to step it up.

Lean on me mate

We don’t know whether Johnny is in real difficulty and so need to wait for the next rounds. But Razga is clearly a strong rival who is more than up to the task. Considering that Redding finds himself in a similar situation to Lowes, we can also put Scott in the group of riders battling for the title.

And yet the Aruba rider will have to get there on his own. Do you think Michael Ruben Rinaldi would help him win the title? Mmm, no. While Andrea Locatelli would help Toprak, we’re sure of it, also because there’s a contract in it for him.

And so to Lowes and Rea. The two get on, they respect each other. Ok. Only at the 2020 Phillip Island round, when the championship knew nothing of the imminent lockdown and all that has gone on since, did the younger rider outdo the expert. Since then, he has played the supporting role.

HRC looms

In the upcoming battles, Sam’s twin needs to get between the number 1 Ninja, the number 54 R1 and the number 45 V4 R. Without a doubt. If he does, he’ll receive a document to read and sign. Otherwise, it’s possible that the rumours surrounding his contact with HRC become a reality.

Meanwhile, the constant complaints of Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam are anything but constructive. The Japanese manufacturer is the only one yet to score a podium this season. How long can they continue to suffer? The riders will respect their commitments, but...

... they are already thinking ahead to 2022. Another possible CBR RR-R candidate is Chaz Davies, not particularly competitive with Go Eleven and the independent Ducati right now. And Tito Rabat isn’t pleased with his performance with team Barni. The two are not shy about voicing their complains. But have you ever seen Alex point the finger at the bike he’s been riding or is riding? No, and Kawasaki knows this.

Translated by Heather Watson

A memorable weekend for Aprilia, winners in BSB and MotoAmerica