Alex Lowes Withdraws from SBK Testing Due to Shoulder Issue
Amid all of the World Superbike testing action in Spain this week, Alex Lowes of the new Pata Yamaha World SBK Team has been withdrawn from the final two days of Yamaha’s winter tests at Circuito de Jerez. This news hit after Lowes suffered a high-side crash that resulted in a dislocated left shoulder.
Early medical evaluations have said that no serious damage was incurred, and the circuit’s medical staff quickly reset Lowes’ shoulder. Despite that, the Yamaha YZR-R1 pilot Lowes’ range of motion has become extremely limited. With his health in mind, Lowes flew back to the UK to seek treatment with a specialist.
On Wednesday, Lowes tallied an impressive 77 laps aboard his new WSBK-spec Yamaha R1, as the team worked through a long list of new components and electronic control settings. In spite of his crash, the data collected will be put to good use when he returns to testing in the New Year.
Sylvain Guintoli, Lowes’ teammate, lead testing for the Japanese manufacturer as they moved operations to the Andalucian circuit for two additional days of testing. When the testing completed, Guintoli wrapped up 167 laps aboard his Yamaha R1.