Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will not take any further part in the EICMA Estoril Round for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The #14 came into the round nursing a chest contusion and competed in all three practice sessions at the Circuito Estoril. However, he was checked after FP3 due to worsening symptoms and has since been declared unfit.

The British rider had been quick at Estoril so far, setting a 1’35.560s in FP3 as he finished second in the combined classification. Unfortunately for him, he won’t be able to translate that throughout the rest of the weekend while him being declared unfit has big ramifications in the fight with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in the Independent Riders’ title. ‘Petrux’ leads Lowes by 100 points and was guaranteed to win it by finishing ahead of the #14 in Race 1, or with neither rider scoring points. With both riders unfit, the latter scenario applies, meaning Petrucci is the Top Independent Rider for 2025.

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