Lowes parts company with Team WFR

Alex Lowes, one of the brightest prospects in BSB, has lost his ride after failing to agree contractual terms with Team WFR.

Lowes has been one of this season’s sensations, running his BSB Evo Honda up with the BSB superbikes in the opening three rounds of the championship but, has been doing so with no formal contract.

But with his growing success, Team WFR, according to their press release, have clearly become worried their rider would become the target of a rival team and, to protect their interest, tried to persuade Lowes to sign a contract.

MCN has no idea of the details of this contract (including the length of contract Team WFR have tired to sign Lowes for)  but, unable to agree terms, the two parties have now parted company. MCN has been unable to contact Lowes but the official press release, issued from Team WFR stated:

“BSB Evo Championship front runners, Team WFR has today regrettably announced that it is to part company with rider Alex Lowes.

Alex has been shaking up the British Championship with his remarkable performances on the lesser specced machine since round one – often running in the top five alongside and in front of many full FIM Superbikes piloted by much more experienced riders.  His exploits so far have been rightly acknowledged as nothing short of extraordinary and it is with huge disappointment that the team has announced the split today.

Up until now, Alex has been riding without a contract; a situation that both parties knew would have to change. The unprecedented start to the season has highlighted Alex as a special talent and it obviously became a major priority for the Team to have his contract signed.

Since providing him with the paperwork, both parties have been in negotiation, and although Alex has no official representation at this time, his personal advisors have been involved in the talks.  Despite best efforts all-round, it appears that a deal has not been struck and that unfortunately all options have been exhausted.

Team Manager Myles Schofield said: “I am very disappointed that we have not been able to reach an agreement.  Contract terms are often viewed differently between those involved, and although we have done our best to explain what we feel is a fair and equitable agreement, it seems Alex is not able to commit.  As such, we have today withdrawn our offer of the ride and Alex is now free to negotiate his own position.”

Myles Schofield went on to wish Alex all the very best for the future, saying: “Alex is a very talented motorcycle racer with a bright future and I would like to thank him for his wonderful performances as a Team WFR rider.  I wish we’d been able to help him realise his full potential both on track and commercially but these things don’t always work out how you’d planned.  I hope he finds a new path very soon and wish him all the success he deserves.

Team WFR has confirmed that it intends to continue as a three-rider team and is already actively engaged in the search for someone to jump on its Evo class leading Fireblades from the forthcoming Thruxton round of the Championship.”