Lowes ‘looking to improve’ as WorldSBK testing kicks off

KRT’s Alex Lowes is eager to get back on his Ninja ZX-10RR as WorldSBK winter testing fires up at Jerez on Wednesday.

With just a month before the paddock returns to Australia and the Phillip Island Circuit for the opening round of the 2023 season, Lowes faces four days of testing - two at Jerez Circuit Angel Nieto and two at Portimao’s Autodromo do Algarve - across the next two weeks.

Wednesday sees the British rider returns to action with his Kawasaki team as final preparations begin, and while December’s testing was hit by difficult weather conditions, he’s not letting that stop him rack up the mileage this time out.

“The plans are to get back up to speed, and get plenty of laps in, with an eye on the first round at Phillip Island,” Lowes said confidently. “Then we will see what we have at the end of this test. I am sure Marcel from the chassis side and Danilo from the electronics side will have a few things to try - ideas they have had at the end of last season and new stuff to try for this year - so there will be a little bit of checking going on.

“This one is more than trying to fine tune the bike set-up; the target should be to try the new components and new parts back-to-back with the previous ones. Then, whatever the weather conditions are, you can still get a good idea of how they work.

“From a riding point of view, I want to improve on last year and build up again for the first round in Australia.”