{"id":1864452,"date":"2026-04-03T15:49:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864452"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:49:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:49:43","slug":"ducati-worldsbk-rider-tipped-to-be-back-at-full-power-at-assen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864452","title":{"rendered":"Ducati WorldSBK rider tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at Assen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Ducati WorldSBK rider tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at Assen<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Sam Lowes has been tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK after riding injured in Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-03T16:49:43+01:00\">03 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Sam Lowes, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK, leaving pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes should be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK on 17\u201319 April, according to one of his rivals.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The order of the entire top-five was identical in all three races at the Portuguese World Superbike round on 27\u201329 March, including Sam Lowes in fifth. Just ahead in all three was Alex Lowes, and the two brothers are now separated by only five points in the championship, with Alex fifth and Sam sixth.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Heading to round three, the Dutch Round at Assen, then, the two are fairly close rivals, but Bimota\u2019s half of WorldSBK\u2019s Lincolnshire twins is expecting his Ducati-mounted brother to be more competitive in the Netherlands after he rode injured in Portimao, following wrist fractures sustained at the Australian Round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to be in front of him,\u201d Alex Lowes joked, speaking to WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Portugal.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHe\u2019s done a great job this weekend. I know his injury, it\u2019s not easy, especially at a track like this and, to finish in the top-five in all the races, really happy for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think by Assen he\u2019ll be back at full power because his speed this weekend was close to the front, but 20 laps \u2013 it\u2019s not easy when you\u2019ve got an injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I look forward to trying to stay in front of him at the next round.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f0a34fc6821bdc744f78fe50a7ff842a73a9f7ad4fcb33dfd12c3b6acb752b83\">  Miguel Oliveira gains WorldSBK veteran praise after \u201cfantastic\u201d Portugal races   Ducati rider confident of Portimao WorldSBK podium chance despite injury <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By Sam Lowes\u2019 own admission, it had been a \u201ctough weekend\u201d in Portugal, but he was pleased to take three fifth places as a result.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt has been a tough weekend for me and that\u2019s what I expected coming back from the injuries, so I\u2019ve got to be really happy with the results we\u2019ve achieved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cFriday was a big boost to be fastest in both sessions, and I\u2019ve been able to show good pace across the weekend. I wasn\u2019t far off podium pace in Race 2 and three fifth places and a lot of points collected is something I would definitely have signed for on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fa633a1965aa7737212d1089f08f7fe24e0f62bf0b5e751c08ce9500845d12d\">  Medical verdict given on three WorldSBK riders ahead of Portugal race   Nicolo Bulega\u2019s closest WorldSBK rival \u201cnot sure\u201d of Portimao potential <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI still don\u2019t think we are showing our full potential just yet, but I have a great team behind me and we know the Ducati package is very competitive, so when I\u2019m fully fit I\u2019m sure we can take another step forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI left Australia with my arm in a cast wondering if I\u2019d even be able to race here in Portimao, so I\u2019m really proud of myself to dig in and get to the end in all three races.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was struggling in the last four laps of Race 2 but didn\u2019t lose my concentration and kept focused and it was great to get another top five.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow we can focus on being stronger physically for the next round in Assen because that is a track I love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Assen saw Lowes take his first pole position in WorldSBK last year, as well as a podium finish in the wet Superpole Race.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Sam Lowes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">ELF Marc VDS Racing Team<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Alex Lowes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Miguel Oliveira rewarded by \u201cwhatever I do\u201d in WorldSBK<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300542_hires_0.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-8f533819d2670c071e92dc3851714c94bdc1f5e0b37dcb8a316c865f1f480bce\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-bbf2d06fb0f52bb3d10fd70328e09828b0b67a02f6f8fef7c0d0298cf8b33fbf\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bimota development costs one rider \u201csome speed\u201d at extra Portimao WorldSBK test<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774170000\"> 22\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1291469_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Axel Bassani, 2026 Australian WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>WorldSBK Portimao test \u201ca shame\u201d, says one Ducati rider<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1773320400\"> 12\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1291805_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Sam Lowes, 2026 Australian WorldSBK, parc ferme. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alex Lowes \u201cgathered good confidence\u201d despite \u201cunfortunate\u201d Portimao WorldSBK test<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1773223894\"> 11\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/00_test_portimao_worldsbk_2026_monday_lowes_z9a_4627_ykujw5.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alex Lowes, March 2026 Portimao WorldSBK Test. Credit: Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alex Lowes explains Australian WorldSBK Race 2 crash: \u201cI didn\u2019t have rear grip\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771863277\"> 23\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1293113_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alex Lowes, 2026 Australian WorldSBK, grid. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sam Lowes injury update after Australian WorldSBK crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771742289\"> 22\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1292278_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Sam Lowes, 2026 Australian WorldSBK, grid. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nicolo Bulega unbeaten but \u201cnot easy to stay confident\u201d at Australian WorldSBK<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771728828\"> 22\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1292615_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Australian WorldSBK, parc ferme. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Sam Lowes has been tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK after riding injured in Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes should be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK on 17\u201319 April, according to one of his rivals.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The order of the entire top-five was identical in all three races at the Portuguese World Superbike round on 27\u201329 March, including Sam Lowes in fifth. Just ahead in all three was Alex Lowes, and the two brothers are now separated by only five points in the championship, with Alex fifth and Sam sixth.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Heading to round three, the Dutch Round at Assen, then, the two are fairly close rivals, but Bimota\u2019s half of WorldSBK\u2019s Lincolnshire twins is expecting his Ducati-mounted brother to be more competitive in the Netherlands after he rode injured in Portimao, following wrist fractures sustained at the Australian Round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to be in front of him,\u201d Alex Lowes joked, speaking to WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Portugal.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHe\u2019s done a great job this weekend. I know his injury, it\u2019s not easy, especially at a track like this and, to finish in the top-five in all the races, really happy for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think by Assen he\u2019ll be back at full power because his speed this weekend was close to the front, but 20 laps \u2013 it\u2019s not easy when you\u2019ve got an injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I look forward to trying to stay in front of him at the next round.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f0a34fc6821bdc744f78fe50a7ff842a73a9f7ad4fcb33dfd12c3b6acb752b83\">  Miguel Oliveira gains WorldSBK veteran praise after \u201cfantastic\u201d Portugal races   Ducati rider confident of Portimao WorldSBK podium chance despite injury <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By Sam Lowes\u2019 own admission, it had been a \u201ctough weekend\u201d in Portugal, but he was pleased to take three fifth places as a result.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt has been a tough weekend for me and that\u2019s what I expected coming back from the injuries, so I\u2019ve got to be really happy with the results we\u2019ve achieved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cFriday was a big boost to be fastest in both sessions, and I\u2019ve been able to show good pace across the weekend. I wasn\u2019t far off podium pace in Race 2 and three fifth places and a lot of points collected is something I would definitely have signed for on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fa633a1965aa7737212d1089f08f7fe24e0f62bf0b5e751c08ce9500845d12d\">  Medical verdict given on three WorldSBK riders ahead of Portugal race   Nicolo Bulega\u2019s closest WorldSBK rival \u201cnot sure\u201d of Portimao potential <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI still don\u2019t think we are showing our full potential just yet, but I have a great team behind me and we know the Ducati package is very competitive, so when I\u2019m fully fit I\u2019m sure we can take another step forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI left Australia with my arm in a cast wondering if I\u2019d even be able to race here in Portimao, so I\u2019m really proud of myself to dig in and get to the end in all three races.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was struggling in the last four laps of Race 2 but didn\u2019t lose my concentration and kept focused and it was great to get another top five.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow we can focus on being stronger physically for the next round in Assen because that is a track I love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Assen saw Lowes take his first pole position in WorldSBK last year, as well as a podium finish in the wet Superpole Race.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes should be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK on 17\u201319 April, according to one of his rivals.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The order of the entire top-five was identical in all three races at the Portuguese World Superbike round on 27\u201329 March, including Sam Lowes in fifth. Just ahead in all three was Alex Lowes, and the two brothers are now separated by only five points in the championship, with Alex fifth and Sam sixth.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Heading to round three, the Dutch Round at Assen, then, the two are fairly close rivals, but Bimota\u2019s half of WorldSBK\u2019s Lincolnshire twins is expecting his Ducati-mounted brother to be more competitive in the Netherlands after he rode injured in Portimao, following wrist fractures sustained at the Australian Round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to be in front of him,\u201d Alex Lowes joked, speaking to WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Portugal.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHe\u2019s done a great job this weekend. I know his injury, it\u2019s not easy, especially at a track like this and, to finish in the top-five in all the races, really happy for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think by Assen he\u2019ll be back at full power because his speed this weekend was close to the front, but 20 laps \u2013 it\u2019s not easy when you\u2019ve got an injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I look forward to trying to stay in front of him at the next round.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f0a34fc6821bdc744f78fe50a7ff842a73a9f7ad4fcb33dfd12c3b6acb752b83\">  Miguel Oliveira gains WorldSBK veteran praise after \u201cfantastic\u201d Portugal races   Ducati rider confident of Portimao WorldSBK podium chance despite injury <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By Sam Lowes\u2019 own admission, it had been a \u201ctough weekend\u201d in Portugal, but he was pleased to take three fifth places as a result.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt has been a tough weekend for me and that\u2019s what I expected coming back from the injuries, so I\u2019ve got to be really happy with the results we\u2019ve achieved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cFriday was a big boost to be fastest in both sessions, and I\u2019ve been able to show good pace across the weekend. I wasn\u2019t far off podium pace in Race 2 and three fifth places and a lot of points collected is something I would definitely have signed for on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fa633a1965aa7737212d1089f08f7fe24e0f62bf0b5e751c08ce9500845d12d\">  Medical verdict given on three WorldSBK riders ahead of Portugal race   Nicolo Bulega\u2019s closest WorldSBK rival \u201cnot sure\u201d of Portimao potential <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI still don\u2019t think we are showing our full potential just yet, but I have a great team behind me and we know the Ducati package is very competitive, so when I\u2019m fully fit I\u2019m sure we can take another step forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI left Australia with my arm in a cast wondering if I\u2019d even be able to race here in Portimao, so I\u2019m really proud of myself to dig in and get to the end in all three races.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was struggling in the last four laps of Race 2 but didn\u2019t lose my concentration and kept focused and it was great to get another top five.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow we can focus on being stronger physically for the next round in Assen because that is a track I love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Assen saw Lowes take his first pole position in WorldSBK last year, as well as a podium finish in the wet Superpole Race.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1092861\/1\/ducati-worldsbk-rider-tipped-be-back-full-power-assen&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Ducati WorldSBK rider tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at Assen Sam Lowes has been tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at the Dutch WorldSBK after riding injured in Portugal. Alex Whitworth 03 Apr 2026 Share Sam Lowes, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK, leaving pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose. \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1864452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1864452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864452\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1864452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1864452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1864452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}