Alex Lowes replaces Rea at Ten Kate

Alex Lowes to replace injured Jonathan Rea at Ten Kate Honda for Brno World Superbike round.

22 Jun 2011

Rookie BSB star Alex Lowes will get a dream World Superbike chance after being named as Jonathan Rea's replacement at the Ten Kate-run Castrol Honda team.

Lowes, who qualified on pole in his first race as a stand-in for Stuart Easton in the MSS Colchester Kawasaki BSB team, will replace the injured Rea at the Brno event from July 8-10.

Alex - who began the year in the BSB Evo Championship - will thus be at the same event as twin brother Sam, a rookie star in this year's World Supersport Championship.

"To first be offered the MSS ride, then an opportunity in World Superbikes is incredible and I'd like to thank Nick [Morgan] and the team for being so understanding," said Alex.

"My main focus is still on the BSB Championship and getting into that top six Shootout for Kawasaki. Snetterton is up next before the WSB round so that is the priority."

MSS team boss Morgan may have given his blessing for the move, but he hopes Lowes shows 'caution'.

"Alex stood in for the team at the last minute and immediately gelled with the bike and squad, we've been really excited with his performances," said Morgan.

"A shot on a World Superbike is a fantastic opportunity and he goes with our blessing, albeit with a word of caution also!"

Castrol Honda team manager Ronald ten Kate explained why Lowes was chosen.

"At the beginning of this season, Alex made quite a stunning impression riding an Evo specification Honda in the British Superbike championship," he began.

"Of course, we're grateful to his current team - MSS Kawasaki - for releasing him to us at this stage of the season.

"The combination of Alex's sheer riding ability, his young age and a strong ambition to move up to world championship racing make us believe that he will be an ideal substitute while Jonathan is recuperating from his injuries.

"We hope he can quickly adapt to the SBK specification CBR1000RR and show some of his raw speed on a world stage."

Rea, who last won for Ten Kate at this year's Assen WSBK round, sustained arm and collarbone injuries in a high-speed accident during warm-up for the Misano event.