The Yamaha World Superbike team has confirmed its current line-up of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark will remain with the Japanese manufacturer for 2018.
The Yamaha-backed Crescent Racing team – run by Paul Denning – brought Lowes onboard for the 2014 season, then on Suzuki machinery.
The 2013 British Superbike champion found the adaptation to WorldSBK tough, and only scored one podium finish in his two years riding the Suzuki.
The return of Yamaha to WorldSBK in 2016 saw Lowes’ performances improve, the Briton a double podium winner – a third at Donington and a second at Misano – this season and fifth in the standings on 148 points after the first eight rounds.
“I am really happy to continue with Yamaha and the Pata Yamaha Team into 2018,” said Lowes.
“I feel part of the Yamaha family and this year I believe I have made a step up from last season.
“I want to keep improving and to get to where I, Yamaha and the R1 belong, which is challenging at the front of WorldSBK, so this is my goal and mission.
“I want to say a massive thank you for the faith Yamaha Motor Europe and the whole team has shown in me, and I look forward to repaying them with reults.”
Lowes and van der Mark, along with Yamaha veteran Katsuyuki Nakasuga, guided Yamaha to its third successive Suzuka 8 Hours victory last month – Lowes a part of the winning line-up in 2016 also.
Dutchman van der Mark moved from Honda to Yamaha for this season. The 2014 World Supersport champion initially found adapting to the R1 tricky, but has since become a regular top five contender and is seventh in the championship on 129 points.
With Pata Yamaha constantly edging closer to the front in WorldSBK, the team’s road racing project manager Andrea Dosoli believes stability in the squad’s line-up will be of massive benefit next season.
“We’re really pleased to confirm both riders for the coming season, the project is going in the right direction and step by step we’re closing the gap to the top competitors,” said Dosoli.
“Being able to count on the same talented riders is fundamental for further development, as continuity is a key factor in motorsport, so we’re really happy that Alex has accepted to extend the agreement for another season.
“We started together in a mid-long term project and the recent Suzuka 8 Hours result is another positive step on a path that will reach maturity in 2018.”
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