Sam Lowes provides injury update: "I really want to try to ride at the test… the main focus will be the race"
The #14 was injured in a crash at Turn 3 in Race 2 in Australia and he was diagnosed with a left wrist fracture
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has revealed he’s aiming to ride at the upcoming test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as he continues to recover from a wrist fracture sustained in Australia. The British star was running in the podium places in Race 2 as the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway, but crashed out of the race in sodden conditions, where he was initially diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and contusions to his right hand and left ankle. He has since had medical checks and confirmed no surgery is required as he provided an update on his recovery.
EXPLAINING THE CRASH: “I made a slight mistake at Turn 3, I was struggling a bit on entry, and I lost the rear off throttle”
Lowes was running in third place during Race 2, which was held in wet conditions, as he looked to score his first rostrum of the season. He had made up two places after starting from fifth on the grid, making good early progress in the early part of the race. However, his hard work came undone on Lap 6 on the exit of the high-speed Stoner Corner at Turn 3, with Lowes crashing out of podium contention.
Discussing the crash, Lowes said: “The conditions were a lot wetter than anybody anticipated, which made bike setup more challenging. I made a slight mistake at Turn 3, I was struggling a bit on entry, and I lost the rear off throttle. It was a big one at high speed, over 200km/h, and a lot of rolls through the gravel trap. The race was going quite well before that, so it was an unfortunate way to end.”
INJURY AND RECOVERY: “The wrist is the radial styloid which is a bit more problematic and needs more rest”
The immediate diagnosis from the circuit medical centre was a left wrist fracture. He was able to fly home without surgery in Australia before seeing a specialist in the United Kingdom, where he was checked over. Lowes revealed no surgery was required and he also explained what training he is able to continue doing while he recovers from the injuries.
He stated: “The medical staff were fantastic at the circuit, and they fixed me up for the flight. Then when I got home, I went to see Mike Hayton up in Manchester - he’s a brilliant hand specialist who I know really well. He diagnosed me with two fractures: one in the hand and one in the wrist. The hand is not a big deal, fifth metacarpal. The wrist is the radial styloid which is a bit more problematic and needs more rest. But no surgery needed. I’m keeping my body moving and training lots of cardio as well as doing weights where I can. I’ve also been seeing a physio and been to the hyperbaric chamber a couple of times, just doing everything I can to be fully fit ASAP.”
RETURN TO ACTION GOAL: “I really want to try to ride at the test… It’s a big ask so soon after the injury”
The 35-year-old stated his aim was to be on his Ducati Panigale V4R machine at the upcoming Portimao test, which takes place on the 9th and 10th March, while also conceding that it’s a “big ask” just a few weeks after the injuries. However, Lowes also stated his main focus would be on the round, which kicks off on the 27th March, more than two weeks after the test takes place.
Explaining his timeframe to be on the bike, Lowes said: “I really want to try to ride at the test as we want to continue working on the bike, there are some things that we didn’t get to try in the winter. It’s a big ask so soon after the injury but during the test I can take it easy and rest it between stints. So, as I said, I’ll try the test, but the main focus will be the race. Luckily there’s a gap to the race weekend so I can continue to work hard to be ready for Round 2.”
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