The evergreen Alex Lowes: the most underrated rider in the World Superbike Championship?

Currently sitting in fourth place in the Superbike World Championship, Alex Lowes is the highest-placed rider outside the Ducati line-up. The Briton has been impressing this season with consistently strong performances on the Bimota KB998 Rimini, usually keeping his team-mate Axel Bassani behind him and regularly mixing it up with the Ducati riders despite a noticeable technical disadvantage. The 35-year-old’s contract extension was confirmed during the race weekend at Misano. He will continue to ride for Bimota and the Provec team in 2027, having been with them since 2020.

Despite his successes, Lowes has for years been seen as a fast rider who does not quite rank among the very best in the world. Yet the Englishman can look back on a remarkable career: he has already finished third in the World Championship, won races and has been one of the championship’s most consistently strong riders for years. When asked whether he sometimes feels underestimated, Lowes responded thoughtfully.

“I don’t really worry about what other people think,” he explained in an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. From the outside, he said, it is almost impossible to judge a rider’s true capabilities. He cited Ducati factory rider Iker Lecuona as an example: “If Lecuona had joined the World Superbike Championship on a Ducati, he would probably have finished in the top three of the world championship every single year for the past four years. Instead, he joined Honda. It’s the same rider, the same work, the same person and the same talent.”

His own career must also be viewed in this context. At Yamaha, he invested a great deal of energy in the project and improved year on year. “My best year was my last year there,” recalled Lowes, referring to the 2019 season, which he finished in third place in the World Championship.

Alex Lowes flourished following Jonathan Rea’s departure

This was followed by a move to Kawasaki, where he was immediately compared to record-breaking world champion Jonathan Rea. “It’s never easy to join a team and be compared to Johnny straight away. I beat him sometimes and had some good races against him, but overall he was better. However, I kept getting stronger.”

It was only after Rea’s move from Kawasaki to Yamaha that his progress became more apparent to many observers. “I don’t know if I’m underestimated. But I think that for the last three or four years I’ve been among the four, five or six best riders in the World Superbike Championship, even though I’m not riding the best bikes. That’s no easy feat.”

That’s why he feels he has earned more respect in the meantime. Nevertheless, Lowes remains critical of himself: “We want to win races and finish on the podium. We’re not quite there yet, so I need to keep improving.”

Alex Lowes duelliert sich regelmäßig mit den Ducatis

Foto: Kawasaki

What motivates Alex Lowes to keep racing

At 35, Lowes has long been one of the most experienced riders on the grid. But he isn’t thinking about retiring at the moment. On the contrary: the upcoming switch to Michelin tyres in the Superbike World Championship in 2027 is actually providing him with extra motivation.

“I’m probably riding better than ever before in my career,” said Lowes. “That’s why I don’t want to stop too soon. If I’m sitting around at home getting bored, my wife won’t be happy either.” At the same time, he realises that the right time will come eventually. “If I’m no longer fast enough or I’m no longer enjoying it, then I’ll have to stop. But at the moment, I feel really good.”

Sam Lowes & Alex Lowes

Foto: Gold & Goose

There are still a few goals the Briton would like to achieve. A victory on a Bimota would be particularly appealing to him. “I’d love to win a race on the Bimota because I feel I’m an important part of this project.” There’s also a very special experience on his wish list: sharing a podium with his twin brother Sam. “We’ve come close many times, finishing third and fourth or third and fifth. It would be lovely to stand on the podium together for once.”

Perhaps that is precisely the reason for the Briton’s strong form. Whilst many riders make their results the centre of their lives, Lowes has found a different balance for himself. “My life is great right now. I have a fantastic wife, lovely children and a wonderful family. The result on the track doesn’t change my life. Since I’ve adopted this attitude, racing has become much easier.”

A statement that suits a rider who may never have been considered a superstar, but who has established himself over many years as one of the most reliable and strongest riders in the World Superbike Championship.