Alex Lowes returns to action for Kawasaki at Jerez

Kawasaki Racing Team rider Alex Lowes completes Jerez test alongside HRC riders Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam, as preparations ramp-up ahead of the 2021 WorldSBK campaign. 

Lowes suffered a small training accident in February, and had to miss the recent Portimao test that the team had organised, as Jonathan Rea was the sole factory rider taking part. 

However, Lowes has almost fully recovered from the injury and subsequently made his first outing of the year on the new Ninja ZX-10RR during the recent two-day test on March 19-20. 

The new bike features engine, chassis and aerodynamic updates compared to the previous model, and Lowes was able to get valuable track time to analyse these parts ahead of the only Official pre-season test beginning March 31.

Speaking after the two days, Lowes said: "I am really happy to be back on the bike for these two afternoons with the team.

"I was not sure how much I would be able to do with my shoulder, but we did a lot of laps - 65 I think on the final day - and I was able to continue the work that we started with the new package in November."

Lowes completed around 120 laps overall, and along with testing the new parts, he admitted that focusing on his 'riding' and being 'smoother' on corner exit was an aim over the winter. 

"This was positive because we did not know if we could be on a good enough pace to start working - but we were," added Lowes. 

"We literally picked up where we left off, the pace was good and we found some positive steps with the bike. Also, with my riding, as I have been focusing in the winter to be smoother on the exit of the corners.

"It was a really positive test and we ticked all the boxes we had set out for these two days. We are looking forward to the official test now in Montmelo.

"A big thank you to Kawasaki, KRT and all the team for putting this extra test on for me, after missing two with the injury. I am really happy to get 2021 back underway."