Milestone for Alex Lowes (36) in SBK 2027: “I’m starting to feel my age”

Bucking the trend amongst non-Ducati riders, Alex Lowes improved his performance in the 2026 Superbike World Championship compared to his first year on the Bimota KB998. Although the Englishman secured his only top-three finish at the season opener at Phillip Island – in 2025 he had stood on the podium in four races – but he scored more points (259 to 218) and moved up one place to fifth in the championship standings.

The fact that he had to relinquish fourth place at the season finale in Jerez is really just a footnote – but for Alex and his twin brother Sam, it was more than that.

“The season was okay – my brother beat me last weekend, which was disappointing! But joking aside: I think we made the best of what we had, so it was a positive season,” said the Bimota rider at the EICMA motorbike show. “The biggest change to the bike this season was that we worked on the balance and set-up last winter, as well as the electronics. There were only small improvements in perhaps two or three areas – nothing major in itself.”

Alex Lowes has been a regular competitor in the World Superbike Championship since 2014. First on a Suzuki, then with Yamaha, Kawasaki and, since 2025, with Bimota. In 13 seasons, he has racked up quite a few: the Englishman has already contested 390 races and ranks second in the statistics. Jonathan Rea leads the way in this discipline with 479 starts.

As the 36-year-old from Lincoln is set to compete in another season, he will become the second Superbike rider to have contested more than 400 Superbike races in 2027! “Yes, I’m aware of that – and it makes me feel old,” Lowes chuckled. “So many races, but so few wins. But I’m proud that I’m still riding at my highest level. And I’m still enjoying it and working on getting just a little bit better. It will definitely be a milestone in my career.”