{"id":1902020,"date":"2026-04-24T15:55:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902020"},"modified":"2026-04-24T15:55:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:55:13","slug":"sam-lowes-im-the-only-one-battling-worldsbks-dominant-duo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902020","title":{"rendered":"Sam Lowes: \u201cI\u2019m the only one battling\u201d WorldSBK\u2019s dominant duo"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_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>Sam Lowes: \u201cI\u2019m the only one battling\u201d WorldSBK\u2019s dominant duo<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Sam Lowes feels he was \u201cthe only one battling\u201d the leading duo at the Dutch WorldSBK.<\/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=\"2026-04-24T16:55:13+01:00\">24 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_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_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>Iker Lecuona leads Nicolo Bulega and Sam Lowes, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK. 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 took three podiums at the Dutch WorldSBK, a first for him in the championship, on a weekend where Ducati dominated but on which he was able to excel himself, he feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes was beaten only by the two factory Ducati riders in all three World Superbike races at Assen on 18 and 19 April, the Marc VDS rider being a clear step ahead of the other satellite Ducatis as well as the factory riders from the other manufacturers.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He admitted afterwards that Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona had \u201ca step\u201d on him, but he was happy to have been himself a step closer than the likes of Alvaro Bautista who was fourth in all three races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think Bulega had quite a step, Iker [Lecuona] a little bit less,\u201d Sam Lowes told WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Assen.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m happy to be fighting with them, everyone knows they\u2019re the reference at the minute, bike-wise and team-wise. I\u2019m really happy to be close.\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\">\u201cThe other Ducatis, obviously this weekend it was a good track for us, so we were all in the front, but I\u2019m the only one that\u2019s managed to be close and battling with them, also qualifying in front of one of them [Lecuona].\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, really happy with that, I think I was cautious and happy to do a good race in the third one because when you\u2019ve done two good races you want to finish the weekend off good to finish in a nice race.\u00a0<\/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-a36f77d129611b1366ed4dabd0cf339e8421f1b5dea8efbfb5b338404a298e32\">  Why third was \u201cthe right result\u201d for Sam Lowes at Dutch WorldSBK   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen: Championship standings after Race 1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cA positive Sunday and I\u2019m happy with the job we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes added that the Assen weekend was not necessarily something out of the ordinary for him in 2026, the crash in Race 2 in Australia being the only major error he\u2019s made through three rounds this season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe last six races have been good,\u201d he said. \u201c[I made] a mistake in Phillip Island in the rain, which can happen \u2013 a wet race, still important but it can happen more.\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-a1f6404d169ee7198a9b68f3e3d75267b3e76950fbd0225ad246c60ae4222378\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega, Lecuona battle as rain shakes up Race 1   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Race 1 Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, all the other races I\u2019ve finished this year which puts us in a good position.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year didn&#8217;t finish as I wanted the last two rounds, so it\u2019s been nice to hit the ground running already at round three with three podiums, and some good tracks for me coming up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, massive credit to the team and Ducati have done a great job, the new bike is already really strong. Let\u2019s see the next races, hopefully some other people [make it] a bit closer and we can enjoy some closer racing, but I need to focus and try to catch up with those two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Expanding on how he can close in on the two factory Ducatis, Lowes said there is margin in his riding: \u201cI\u2019m looking at what they\u2019re doing, trying to improve a few things. I still need to make a step in my riding. I\u2019m still riding it a bit Moto2-style in some parts of the track.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn Assen, luckily that works in two of the sectors, the other two I need to improve.\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 the harder tyre allocation this weekend compared to last season definitely helped Ducati, made the difference maybe look bigger than it was at other tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, maybe in other races it will be different.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI don\u2019t know what other people need to do, but I need to just keep riding a bit better, do a better job on Friday just to be a bit closer and we\u2019re not far off, we\u2019re not talking massive margins, and that also gives you motivation for the next one.\u201d<\/p>\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>\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\"> Danilo Petrucci BMW WorldSBK comments make for worrying MotoGP brand comparisons<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305296_hires.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-1a7f3f223a60c22c326f550a2673c2f86ab432d4fe43e172768e66d1c5203579\">\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-647ba79d814518fd3aedccd964ada3267e74968208a3f9896d50c2ea43886199\">\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 brushes off Dutch WorldSBK Superpole crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776506317\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega arrives in parc ferme on a scooter after crashing in 2026 Dutch WorldSBK Superpole. 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>2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega pole despite Superpole crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776506100\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK round at Assen.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Superpole Qualifying Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776505200\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304904_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK round at Assen.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Final Practice Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776500520\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304858_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Iker Lecuona, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen.\" 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>Two manufacturers hit with WorldSBK performance penalties<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776355627\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303327_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Iker Lecuona leads Miguel Oliveira and Alex Lowes, 2026 Portuguese 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>Ducati WorldSBK rider tipped to be \u201cback at full power\u201d at Assen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775231383\"> 03\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300776_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Sam Lowes, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK, leaving pit box. 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 feels he was \u201cthe only one battling\u201d the leading duo at the Dutch WorldSBK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes took three podiums at the Dutch WorldSBK, a first for him in the championship, on a weekend where Ducati dominated but on which he was able to excel himself, he feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes was beaten only by the two factory Ducati riders in all three World Superbike races at Assen on 18 and 19 April, the Marc VDS rider being a clear step ahead of the other satellite Ducatis as well as the factory riders from the other manufacturers.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He admitted afterwards that Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona had \u201ca step\u201d on him, but he was happy to have been himself a step closer than the likes of Alvaro Bautista who was fourth in all three races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think Bulega had quite a step, Iker [Lecuona] a little bit less,\u201d Sam Lowes told WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Assen.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m happy to be fighting with them, everyone knows they\u2019re the reference at the minute, bike-wise and team-wise. I\u2019m really happy to be close.\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\">\u201cThe other Ducatis, obviously this weekend it was a good track for us, so we were all in the front, but I\u2019m the only one that\u2019s managed to be close and battling with them, also qualifying in front of one of them [Lecuona].\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, really happy with that, I think I was cautious and happy to do a good race in the third one because when you\u2019ve done two good races you want to finish the weekend off good to finish in a nice race.\u00a0<\/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-a36f77d129611b1366ed4dabd0cf339e8421f1b5dea8efbfb5b338404a298e32\">  Why third was \u201cthe right result\u201d for Sam Lowes at Dutch WorldSBK   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen: Championship standings after Race 1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cA positive Sunday and I\u2019m happy with the job we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes added that the Assen weekend was not necessarily something out of the ordinary for him in 2026, the crash in Race 2 in Australia being the only major error he\u2019s made through three rounds this season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe last six races have been good,\u201d he said. \u201c[I made] a mistake in Phillip Island in the rain, which can happen \u2013 a wet race, still important but it can happen more.\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-a1f6404d169ee7198a9b68f3e3d75267b3e76950fbd0225ad246c60ae4222378\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega, Lecuona battle as rain shakes up Race 1   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Race 1 Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, all the other races I\u2019ve finished this year which puts us in a good position.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year didn&#8217;t finish as I wanted the last two rounds, so it\u2019s been nice to hit the ground running already at round three with three podiums, and some good tracks for me coming up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, massive credit to the team and Ducati have done a great job, the new bike is already really strong. Let\u2019s see the next races, hopefully some other people [make it] a bit closer and we can enjoy some closer racing, but I need to focus and try to catch up with those two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Expanding on how he can close in on the two factory Ducatis, Lowes said there is margin in his riding: \u201cI\u2019m looking at what they\u2019re doing, trying to improve a few things. I still need to make a step in my riding. I\u2019m still riding it a bit Moto2-style in some parts of the track.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn Assen, luckily that works in two of the sectors, the other two I need to improve.\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 the harder tyre allocation this weekend compared to last season definitely helped Ducati, made the difference maybe look bigger than it was at other tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, maybe in other races it will be different.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI don\u2019t know what other people need to do, but I need to just keep riding a bit better, do a better job on Friday just to be a bit closer and we\u2019re not far off, we\u2019re not talking massive margins, and that also gives you motivation for the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes took three podiums at the Dutch WorldSBK, a first for him in the championship, on a weekend where Ducati dominated but on which he was able to excel himself, he feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes was beaten only by the two factory Ducati riders in all three World Superbike races at Assen on 18 and 19 April, the Marc VDS rider being a clear step ahead of the other satellite Ducatis as well as the factory riders from the other manufacturers.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He admitted afterwards that Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona had \u201ca step\u201d on him, but he was happy to have been himself a step closer than the likes of Alvaro Bautista who was fourth in all three races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think Bulega had quite a step, Iker [Lecuona] a little bit less,\u201d Sam Lowes told WorldSBK.com after Race 2 in Assen.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m happy to be fighting with them, everyone knows they\u2019re the reference at the minute, bike-wise and team-wise. I\u2019m really happy to be close.\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\">\u201cThe other Ducatis, obviously this weekend it was a good track for us, so we were all in the front, but I\u2019m the only one that\u2019s managed to be close and battling with them, also qualifying in front of one of them [Lecuona].\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, really happy with that, I think I was cautious and happy to do a good race in the third one because when you\u2019ve done two good races you want to finish the weekend off good to finish in a nice race.\u00a0<\/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-a36f77d129611b1366ed4dabd0cf339e8421f1b5dea8efbfb5b338404a298e32\">  Why third was \u201cthe right result\u201d for Sam Lowes at Dutch WorldSBK   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen: Championship standings after Race 1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cA positive Sunday and I\u2019m happy with the job we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lowes added that the Assen weekend was not necessarily something out of the ordinary for him in 2026, the crash in Race 2 in Australia being the only major error he\u2019s made through three rounds this season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe last six races have been good,\u201d he said. \u201c[I made] a mistake in Phillip Island in the rain, which can happen \u2013 a wet race, still important but it can happen more.\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-a1f6404d169ee7198a9b68f3e3d75267b3e76950fbd0225ad246c60ae4222378\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega, Lecuona battle as rain shakes up Race 1   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Race 1 Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, all the other races I\u2019ve finished this year which puts us in a good position.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year didn&#8217;t finish as I wanted the last two rounds, so it\u2019s been nice to hit the ground running already at round three with three podiums, and some good tracks for me coming up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, massive credit to the team and Ducati have done a great job, the new bike is already really strong. Let\u2019s see the next races, hopefully some other people [make it] a bit closer and we can enjoy some closer racing, but I need to focus and try to catch up with those two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Expanding on how he can close in on the two factory Ducatis, Lowes said there is margin in his riding: \u201cI\u2019m looking at what they\u2019re doing, trying to improve a few things. I still need to make a step in my riding. I\u2019m still riding it a bit Moto2-style in some parts of the track.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn Assen, luckily that works in two of the sectors, the other two I need to improve.\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 the harder tyre allocation this weekend compared to last season definitely helped Ducati, made the difference maybe look bigger than it was at other tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, maybe in other races it will be different.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI don\u2019t know what other people need to do, but I need to just keep riding a bit better, do a better job on Friday just to be a bit closer and we\u2019re not far off, we\u2019re not talking massive margins, and that also gives you motivation for the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1093415\/1\/sam-lowes-im-only-one-battling-worldsbks-dominant-duo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305185_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Sam Lowes: \u201cI\u2019m the only one battling\u201d WorldSBK\u2019s dominant duo Sam Lowes feels he was \u201cthe only one battling\u201d the leading duo at the Dutch WorldSBK. Alex Whitworth 24 Apr 2026 Share Iker Lecuona leads Nicolo Bulega and Sam Lowes, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose. \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose Add as [&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-1902020","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\/1902020","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=1902020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902020\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1902020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1902020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1902020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}