Crash.Net’s Top 10 WorldSBK Riders of 2021: 9th Alex Lowes

In what was an injury-affected second season with Kawasaki, one that saw Alex Lowes slip from fourth to eighth in the final few rounds, we have ranked the British rider 9th in our top ten WorldSBK riders of 2021.

Lowes started the season in great form after taking three podiums from three races in Aragon. 

However, Lowes managed just two podiums in his next 21 races, which came courtesy of a third at Donington Park and another P3 in the Superpole race at Magny-Cours. In fact, Lowes remained without another podium from Magny-Cours onwards. 

In 2020 Lowes started off the season with two podiums including a race three victory at Phillip Island, which led to him leaving the Australian round as the championship leader. 

But just like his debut season with the team - one where he again claimed just two podiums from a run of 21 races - those types of results significantly dried up as the 2021 campaign wore on. 

But although the final five rounds after Magny-Cours were a big disappointment, it must be said the majority of Lowes’ injury issues began around that time. 

Lowes took part in the next five races and finished three of them, however, crashes in the two races he failed to finish (Catalunya and Jerez) left the Kawasaki rider with wrist and hand injuries. 

Lowes subsequently missed the final Jerez race and all three in Portimao, before returning for the penultimate round in San Juan, Argentina. 

An impressive fourth place finish in race one seemed to suggest he was close to top form, but Lowes then decided not to take part in Sunday's double-header due to the injury persisting. 

Lowes then returned once again for the final round of the season in Mandalika, but a heavy crash during Friday’s free practice saw the former Yamaha rider suffer a shoulder injury which led to him missing qualifying and both races.

It was a season that should and looked like ending with a much higher championship position before the above-mentioned crashes and injuries, which is why Lowes only makes it to ninth on this list.

Lowes 2021 stats: 

Championship Finish: 8th

Points: 213

Wins: 0

Podiums: 5

Pole Positions: 0

Top Ten Results: 23

Points Scores: 25

Front Row Starts: 1

Overall crash total: 9

Non-Finishes: 5

Races: 31

Non-Starts: 7