WorldSBK: Alex Lowes wins a sensational Superpole Race

The rider from Lincolnshire wins Kawasaki’s first race since the departure of Jonathan Rea.

It is the first Superpole Race of the year, an all-out sprint for the WorldSBK race in yet another dramatic twist. Alex Lowes took the honours of his first win in four years – last at Phillip Island in 2020. With the track action we have seen, and a handful of rider market changes is already looking to be one of the most open-world seasons in history.

For the Superpole Race, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) qualified on pole position and won the first race of the weekend. Starting in second would be another WorldSBK rookie, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven). Joining the Italians on the front row would be Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK’s Alex Lowes.

The start of another battle

As the lights went out for the Superpole Race it was Andrea Iannone who led the way out of turn one. Lowes followed in second, before fighting his way through on lap two – starting an exciting duel. ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s Toprak Razgatlioglu and home rider, Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) soon passed Bulega, to fight for the lead.

Reigning WorldSBK Champion, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was hoping for a better result after crashing in Race One. Bautista made a good start, eventually pipping his teammate in a brave move for fifth.

The front group was 10 riders long after four laps, with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) setting the fastest lap of the race in the early stages. Locatelli was the best of the Pata Prometeon Yamaha’s with Jonathan Rea down in 11^th after another tough start to his race.

With four laps to go, Andrea Iannone began to drop down the order, with the Italian suffering from mechanical issues. This was good news for fellow Italian, Locatelli who was promoted to second.

The battle for second was intense and allowed Alex Lowes to extend his lead to one second over the group. The Kawasaki rider was on track to win his first race since 2020 at Phillip Island.

The lap times were consistently inside the 1:29 bracket with no mandatory pitstops for the field. This is unlike the two full-length races which are flag-to-flag races due to tyre concerns.

Alex Lowes back on top

As the bikes came across the line for the final time it was Alex Lowes who was a WorldSBK race winner once again. The British rider was ecstatic with the result, celebrating with his brother on the cool-down lap. This will hand Lowes pole position for the second race later today.

Andrea Locatelli managed to come home in second position after another commanding ride for the lead Yamaha. Toprak Razgatlioglu held onto third after a nail-biting drag race to the line with his rival Bautista. This was Razgatlioglu’s first podium with BMW, starting the first round in style.

Nicolo Bulega rounded out the top five, battling hard throughout the whole race to maintain a good result. Remy Gardner finished sixth at his home Superpole Race – unable to find a way past Bulega. He was ahead of his GYTR GRT Yamaha teammate, Dominique Aegerter who had a strong ride on the #77.

Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) was ninth, battling in the front group in just his second WorldSBK race. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) rounded out the all-important top nine.

Meanwhile, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) had a crash at turn six throughout the race. With Tarran Mackenzie forced to pull his PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda into the pits to retire.

There is still one more race to go for the WorldSBK class, beginning at 05:00 am GMT. It looks to be a showstopper with the potential of three different race winners this weekend you do not want to miss it.

Image credit: worldsbk.com