Marc VDS Racing announced that they will be making the move from moto 2 to World SBK with Sam Lowes. Lowes will race a Ducati Panigale V4R. The move ends a 9 year stent in Moto2 for the veteran. Marc VDS Racing provide comments on the move to WorldSBK.com.
Marc van der Straten, Team Owner and Team Manager
“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship. It gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP™, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge. We have competed in Moto3™, Moto2™, MotoGP™ and MotoE™ and won three titles.”
“As this is a long-term project, we’ll be aiming to adapt quickly, so that we can get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible. It’s also a source of pride to be taking this step with Sam Lowes, a great rider who has shown what he’s capable of in Moto2™, and who shares our team’s values and know-how. Finally, counting on Ducati’s experience and success completes a package that has everything to be perfect and exciting!”
Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director
“We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024! Marc VDS is one of the most professional and successful structures in the Moto2™ World Championship, with three world titles won, and their participation in WorldSBK next year with the highly competitive Panigale V4 R will surely add more value to the whole Championship. I would like to personally thank, also on behalf of Ducati Corse, Marc van der Straten for his trust and commitment to this exciting new racing project together with Ducati.”
Sam Lowes Comments on the Decision to Make the Move
“I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks. I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity. I am very open minded and ready to adapt and learn what I need to be competitive in WorldSBK. I always had a goal to race in World Superbike and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step. But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good Grand Prix career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
“I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things. It’s a privilege to ride for Marc VDS Racing Team and to make this step together is a great feeling, as I am sure it can be a strong and top team in WorldSBK as well. I am very grateful to Marc van der Straten for trusting me to start this new project. We have a great relationship; we have achieved some nice things together and we aim for many more!”
Sam Lowes will join his twin brother Alex Lowes on the World Super Bike grid next year. Marc VDS Racing plans to remain in Moto2 with two riders while simultaneously managing this WorldSBK entry. Lowes [Sam] has taken 10 Moto2™ wins and 26 podiums, with his best Championship finish coming in 2020 when he took third place.