WSB: Sam Lowes unveils 2024 Marc VDS Racing Ducati livery

Sam Lowes’ Elf Marc VDS Racing livery has been unveiled ahead of his and the team’s debut in the World Superbike Championship this season.

The Château de Modave in Belgium was the location as the covers were taken off the Ducati V4 R, revealing the instantly recognisable colour scheme that fans have seen in the Moto2 World Championship since 2021.

It’s a new challenge for both rider and team, as Marc van der Straten’s team looks to add to its illustrious racing record. Marc VDS are three-time Moto2 World Champions, securing the crown with Tito Rabat (2014), Franco Morbidelli (2017) and Alex Marquez (2018).

Lowes returns to the paddock he last competed in during the 2013 season when he became the World Supersport Champion. Lowes will work with crew chief Giovanni Crupi, who previously worked with Scott Redding when he swapped prototype racing for production in 2019. Crupi lalso ed Ducati’s development of the V2 Supersport machine which dominated in 2023 with Nicolo Bulega.

“I’m very happy and proud to continue working with this great team and to be riding for Marc once again,” Lowes said. “It’s a big new challenge for me to change category after a long time and I’m very happy and motivated to start. I’d like to say a huge thanks to Marc for asking me to be the first rider for his team in WorldSBK. The bike is beautiful and it’s an amazing feeling to ride a Ducati.

“The livery is fantastic and it’s so special to represent Marc and this team in WorldSBK. I’m really excited to continue working with my new crew chief Giovanni to progress my understanding of the bike. I just need to learn the bike, tyres, and format over a race weekend with the three races.

“The first goal in the tests will be to make the bike mine and feel comfortable. I just need laps and mileage on the bike to understand many things. But this will come and if we had to go racing today, I feel we could do a good job. The goal though is to fight at the front. I hope to be in the fight for podiums and wins and to learn a lot. Also being top Independent rider has to be a target.”

The Marc VDS team will also contest the Moto2 season, retaining Tony Arbolino for a third season and welcoming Philp Salac. Arbolino finished runner-up to Pedro Acosta last season, taking three victories and a total of eight podiums.

“January 15th, 2024 is always going to be a memorable date for me, as today we present our Moto2 team and the Elf Marc VDS Racing family grows with the arrival of our new WorldSBK team,” Team Owner, Van Der Straten said.

“It was really beautiful and motivating to see our three machines with their talented riders on stage, and to know that they’re going to give their all to achieve the objectives set. In Moto2, with Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac, we’ll be continuing our quest for victories and podiums to try and win the World Championship.

“In the WorldSBK Championship, we face a big and exciting new challenge. Although we’re just starting out, we’re very well prepared and supported by the brilliant talent of Sam Lowes and the technical quality of Ducati. We know together we can make big things happen.

“Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to all our friends and partners who continue to support our projects and share our great passion season after season. Let’s enjoy a great 2024 together.”

Three WorldSBK pre-season tests are scheduled prior to the new season. The paddock heads to Jerez for two days on January 24-25, before travelling to Portimao for another two days on January 29-30.

Philip Island then hosts the final pre-season test on February 19-20, with the Australian circuit hosting the opening round on February 23-25.