Paris, September 9th 2024 - Nine-time Moto2 winner, third in the intermediate class in 2020 in the colours of Elf Marc VDS Racing, Sam Lowes has left Grand Prix racing this year to enter the World Superbike Championship. Still with the same team, and the same passion.
How do you feel about taking part in this year's World Superbike Championship after so many seasons of Grand Prix racing?
I'm really enjoying it! It's a new experience and I'm really enjoying it. It's a big change in my career, but also in my life, but it's a positive one. I spent many years in Moto2, and now I'm having to adapt in Superbike to a Ducati which is obviously very different to ride. The bike is heavier and more powerful. The format of the weekend is also different, with the Superpole, the two long races and the Superpole race. My brother also competes in this championship, so I'm very happy to have him back.
How have you adapted to this new category?
Everything is very different and I've had to change a lot of things in my approach to competition. The way I ride, of course, but also the way I manage the weekend.
In Superbike, I wouldn't say that you have to be more aggressive, but you have to use the front of the bike more in the first part of the braking to prepare for the corner and then be able to accelerate. Using the grip on the exit of the corner is essential. It's not easy, especially when you're used to riding a lighter, much less powerful bike.
Does your brother give you advice?
Yes, of course, we're very close and we talk a lot together. He's helping me enormously in this transition, but obviously he wants to beat me and I want to beat him. I've followed his career closely, so I've been interested in Superbike for a very long time. That also helps me today to understand the details that make all the difference. I came to this paddock with an idea of the tyres, the circuits, the riding... I was ready for a change of championship.
How would you sum up your Superbike debut?
I'd say it's not too bad. Not everything is perfect yet, but there have been some positive races. Of course, there are still too many crashes... I'm still finding it difficult to manage certain situations, to understand the degradation of the tyres... As I said, everything is different compared to Moto2, and I'm still in the learning phase.
Are you continuing to follow the progress of the Moto2 riders in the Elf Marc VDS team, which you left this year?
Yes, of course, we belong to the same family! There's a lot of talk about the new Pirelli tyres that replaced the Dunlop tyres in Moto2 this year. It seems to be causing problems for the riders, and Tony and Philip are no exception. I think the team was expecting a little better in terms of results, but Tony managed to get into the points on a regular basis. Philip, on the other hand, has been lacking in success since the start of the championship. He started the season with an arm problem, fell and injured himself... I think that these two riders haven't yet had the opportunity to show their real potential. But the season is far from over. I'm sure that for them, as for me, the best is yet to come.