The 2025 season for Alex Lowes started at Jerez, just after the last Round of the season. In the two-day test organized in Andalusia, the British rider in fact had the opportunity to try for the first time the new Bimota KB998 with which he will compete, together with Axel Bassani, in the next World Superbike season. A bike quite different from the Ninja that Alex took to fourth place in the World Championship in this 2024, experienced under the Kawasaki Racing Team banner. We talked with the British rider in a chat at EICMA about this and much more.
"I'm happy to be here. It's always so big, and it's nice to see so many new companies inside our sport. It is always nice to meet the Italian fans, there are always so many people. It's a pleasure to be here and I'm excited about changing bikes for next year," said Lowes, who rediscovered his ZX-10RR on this occasion.
How do you feel getting on it perhaps for the last time?
"I'm happy that Gerloff is going to be riding it with Puccetti and the bikes of last year and some support from Kawasaki, because we don't want to lose the green from the grid. In my years in SBK, the 'green' with Tom Sykes and then with Johnny Rea has been so successful, so it would be a shame not to have the green there. On the other side, I am really excited about this new challenge with Bimota. It's going to be interesting. There's a lot of work to do, but it's going to be fun."
The first impression of the Bimota is that it is very different from the Kawasaki. The engine is maybe the same, but aerodynamics and chassis are completely different.
"You don't feel the same, even though the engine is the same. When you leave the pit lane it's quite a big difference. I've go a lot of experience in SBK with different manufacturers, so in this project I feel like my responsibility is to really help the initial stage to put us in a good direction to be prepared for next year. The initial feeling with the bike was good. There is a lot of work to do, to understand the best direction to go and what the bike needs, but the start is positive."
You were very quick in testing and Axel was the fastest on the second day. Did you imagine you would be so strong, or did this start surprise you?
"I was surprised from the first laps, the bike felt good. It didn't feel like a new bike, because the feeling was already pretty good. Axel obviously had a really good feeling with the bike, which is important because this year has been difficult with the Kawasaki. The initial feeling was positive and if you start from a good positive point it doesn't make it any easier, but it's a good way to start. I can't say it's a surprise, that would not be a good word, but we are happy about this and now we have to understand what the real situation is, because in Jerez, with the race weekend, the good conditions and the cool temperatures, there were many things helping us. Not all the rivals were there, but it was definitely positive and we can be excited about the next test. It's an interesting situation."
If you had to compare the new Bimota with this bike, how would you describe it?
"The chassis is different. With the Kawasaki, there is only one way to ride: you have to be aggressive, always on the limit, pushing hard, and that takes a lot of physical and mental energy. It looks like the new Bimota is a little more forgiving, a little softer, and that's good because it makes everything a little easier for the rider. The character is quite different. Much more than I expected. We'll see how it evolves in the next test."
Now you have a test at the end of November in Jerez, then there will be ones in January also in Jerez and Portimao, and then the last one to be held in Australia before the season starts. What are your expectations for Round 1?
"I think it's a shame to always be in Jerez, because we need to try on different layouts to understand the bike. Portimao will be important, and Australia was perhaps one of the best tracks for the Kawasaki, so hopefully the Bimota will be also there like the Kawasaki. In any case, I expect to start at least from the level we ended this year with and then try to improve, because the level in SBK is growing every year. I think there will be eight Ducatis next season, we know Toprak's level and all the BMWs are making progress. It is a tough and competitive championship, but we have a fantastic team behind us. The team has great experience, two good riders who ride well, and I think we can be strong next year. We have to try to fight for podiums as soon as possible!"
What is your opinion of Rea's season?
"Honestly, it was difficult for me to watch Johnny have a season like this, because I am first of all his friend. When he got on the bike in winter testing, I remember following him to Jerez and he was very fast. I think he lapped in 1'38"2/1'38"3, setting several laps. So, I thought he would be one of the challengers for the title. Then he had some crashes, lost a little bit of confidence, because of the bad highsides he suffered in the first part of the season, things we don't expect anymore in SBK with all the electronics. That definitely didn't help and it's hard to explain, because he is without a doubt one of the fastest, one of the best riders on the grid. It will be interesting to see how he comes back next year."