Lowes Twins Lead British Charge In Superpole
Written by Jordan Boyle
After topping Friday’s practice sessions, Marc VDS Ducati’s Sam Lowes ended Saturday morning’s Superpole session in fifth place – making the #14 the highest placed of British riders on the grid. Despite sustaining an injury during the final race of the opening round, Lowes looks well set to put any concerns about performance behind him.
Second best of the British riders on the grid was Sam’s twin brother, Alex Lowes. The factory Bimota rider will line up in seventh position on the grid. Prior to a late flurry of laptimes, Alex was looking for a second-row start. Nonetheless, both Lowes and his Bimota have looked strong this weekend – and as such, they should be well in contention to challenge for the top five positions.
Tarran Mackenzie will start from fifteenth position aboard his Optical Express MGM Ducati. After a career-best fourth place last time out in Phillip Island, the 2021 British Superbike champion will be aiming for yet another strong haul of points this weekend.
Next best of the Brits was former six-time world champion, Jonathan Rea. Rea makes his return to Honda for the first time since 2014, acting as a replacement for the injured Jake Dixon. World Superbike’s most successful ever rider will line up in eighteenth position, just ahead of his HRC teammate, Somkiat Chantra.
The fifth of the British riders on the grid is 2023 British Superbike champion Tommy Bridewell. After a late decision to switch from British Superbikes to a full-time World Superbike campaign, Bridewell hasn’t quite had the track time compared to his rivals. Despite this, Bridewell has looked competitive across the weekend, and will line up twentieth on the grid for Saturday’s race.
The opening World Superbike race of the weekend will commence at 15:30 local time.
