Kawasaki launches joint WorldSBK and MXGP challenge

Kawasaki Racing unveiled its 2023 WorldSBK team colours on Wednesday evening as it partnered up with the MXGP effort.

Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes showcased their Superbike World Championship Ninja ZX-10RR alongside Romain Febvre and Mitch Evans’ KX450-SR - as the pair line up for Kawasaki’s MXGP outfit, headed by former F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen.

With European testing done and dusted and just a fortnight to go before the opening round off the 2023 WorldSBK season kicks off at Phillip Island, in Australia, both Rea and Lowes are eager to get racing with the Northern Irishman out for his seventh title in green.

“I am really excited about this new season,” Rea admitted. “We had a really solid off season. I am also excited to go to Phillip Island and start the year in what seems to us like a more normal way.

“I feel that I have prepared really well away from the track, and during the winter tests we have improved, which is very motivating.

“It’s nice to have some new people around and that itself brings a different feel,” he continued of the off-season garage shakeup which saw new electronics staff added to the KRT fold. “I am eager to get going. We have made progress with the bike and are working hard to try to improve our feeling and results from last season. Hopefully we can challenge for race wins and fight for a world title.”

“I love how the bike looks,” Lowes commented on the latest livery. “I really like the 2023 design. Last year I had some quite good speed, strong qualifying performances and I could hang with the top three. As the race went on, when the grip dropped, I was struggling a little bit more, that is an area we have focused on.

“I am really looking forward to the year. I have had a good winter of training