The Imola round is yet to begin but... booom, here comes the first market news: Sam Lowes will come to SBK with the Marc VDS team, the squad with which the English rider currently competes in the Moto2 world championship. The Belgian team has revealed its plans to enter the production-derived championship and will go with the safe option, namely the Ducati Panigale V4 R, in 2024.

Lowes & Lowes, both twins in SBK

Both parties have expressed their enthusiasm about the project: “I'm delighted and ready to begin this new adventure”, comments Marc Van Der Straten, “a long-term project, for which we want to thank Ducati for its support and Lowes for his willingness to switch category". “I’ve always wanted to race in SBK”, states Sam, “ever since winning the Supersport title in 2013. I think the team and I can achieve great results together.”

The Lincoln native will of course come across a fellow Lincoln man in the paddock, one who closely resembles him and has just renewed his contract with Kawasaki. Alex Lowes was keen to challenge twin Sam in a high-level championship again, and now he'll have his chance, the two brothers flying the Union Jack in the same paddock.