Lowes Heads Back Into Track Action

KRT rider Alex Lowes will rejoin his official Kawasaki WorldSBK squad and the new Ninja ZX-10RR for a two-day winter test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on 19 and 20 March.

Having injured his shoulder in a training accident in February Lowes has now recovered to take part in what will be his first off-season test since last November. Jonathan Rea, having successfully completed his own test at Portimao recently, will not ride at the forthcoming Jerez sessions.

Now entering his second season with Kawasaki, Lowes won a WorldSBK race on the previous model of Ninja ZX-10RR race bike, scoring three further podiums in 2020. Lowes has already had his first on-track contact with the 2021 Ninja but after more development work on the overall technical package in the past few months Alex will have several advances to evaluate at Jerez.

With a higher revving engine and improvements to both front and rear aerodynamic designs the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR has already proven itself in testing. Now Lowes has the chance to get to know the machine again in its latest form as he eases himself back into action.

Jerez is always a popular winter testing location, as the 4.423km long track features a variety of corners that allow teams to test many aspects of machine set-up. It is scheduled to be the host venue of the eighth round of the championship this year, between 24-26 September.

The latest WorldSBK calendar update includes the confirmation of a supported test for all teams at Montmelo – between March 31 and April 1 – with the first points-scoring championship race now taking place at Motorland Aragon, in northern Spain, between 21-23 May.

Alex Lowes, stated: “I can’t wait to get back on the bike. It’s been a tough few weeks, with my arm in a sling for four of them, but I’m working hard to build the muscles back around my shoulder. Luckily I’ve been in Barcelona and spending a lot of time with the team and all the mechanics. Now we just want to be back at the track preparing for the 2021 season together. It’s going to be fun! Our main target is to continue our programme from the November tests.”

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “We did not originally plan to have this Jerez test but because Alex could not make the previous one we agreed to join with HRC for two days, to give him the opportunity to set some laps and get into his rhythm for the next big tests at Montmelo. He has been working for the past months to get strong in his shoulder after his little flat track training crash; taking the time to make sure the shoulder recovers well. It simply takes time to make sure all the ligaments and muscles are in good condition. The weather looks like it is going to be with us so let’s hope we can make a successful test together. Johnny will not ride at Jerez this time as we have a test ban limitation of ten days per rider. We already have some information with him from Jerez, so he will stay in Barcelona, training for the Montmelo tests at the end of this month.”