WSB: Sam Lowes and Marc VDS Racing join forces with Ducati for 2024 season

Sam Lowes and the Marc VDS Racing team will switch from Moto2 to the World Superbike Championship next season.

Lowes will be equipped with a Ducati V4 R, the bike which propelled Alvaro Bautista to the title in 2022. The Bautista-Ducati combination continues to dominate the series, with the Spaniard having won 16 out of the 18 races held so far.

The Brit first signed with Marc VDS in 2020 and has won seven races with the Dutch team so far.  Lowes has also collected 15 podiums and 12 poles, and lodged a genuine title challenge in his maiden year, finishing only nine points behind the champion, Enea Bastianini.

Lowes has been in the WorldSBK paddock before, winning the World Supersport title in 2013.

“I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks, but I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity,” Lowes said. “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 GP career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.

“But 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.”

Marc VDS will remain in Moto2 alongside its new WorldSBK venture. The team has won the Moto2 title on three occasions (2014, 2017 and 2019), and currently leads the championship this season with Tony Arbolino.

In the past, the team has also competed in MotoGP with Honda machinery, as well as in the Moto3 and MotoE classes.

“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship, and it gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes,” Team Owner, Marc van der Straten said.

“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.

“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.”

As things stand, Marc VDS’ switch to Ducati means that there will be four teams using the V4 R in 2024. Aruba.it Racing is the factory team and has already tied down Bautista for another season, however the second seat has yet to be confirmed.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi currently races alongside Bautista; however, Motocorsa Racing Ducati’s Axel Bassani has been linked with that seat. Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci is enjoying his debut campaign with Barni Racing Ducati.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024,” Ducati Corse Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti added. “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.”

The move means that Lowes will have the chance to race against twin brother Alex, who signed a new deal with Kawasaki last month.