Moto2: Lowes confirmed at Marc VDS for 2020

Sam Lowes will switch to the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS squad for 2020 in the Moto2 world championship, the Belgian squad has confirmed.

The British rider had been tipped for a switch to the Belgian-Hispanic squad to replace Xavi Vierge alongside Alex Marquez last month but the team had remained tight-lipped in recent weeks.

Following Vierge’s announcement that he is moving to the expanded Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2 squad next year, Marc VDS has duly confirmed Lowes will join the team in 2020 for his sixth season in the intermediate class.

Lowes is naturally delighted with the confirmation and after going through “some difficult times throughout my career” on uncompetitive machinery the British rider is confident he can fight at the front with Marc VDS.

“I am very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to join what I consider to be the best Moto2 team,” Lowes said. “Alex Marquez is doing a great job this year and having him as a team-mate will allow me to learn a lot from him.

“I have gone through some difficult times throughout my career and I think my time has finally come. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone on the team.

“It’s a dream come true and I will do everything in my power to return the confidence placed in me in the form of great results.”

“It’s great news to add Sam to our team,” Marc van der Straten, team owner, added. “We know him well and we know his talent as a rider and his values as a person.

“He shares the philosophy of the team, our way of seeing and doing things, and that's very important. He has proven to be a fast rider, but I think he can still give a lot more in a team like ours that will put all the tools available at his disposal.

“I am convinced that he can bring us great success and happiness. Without a doubt with Alex, they will form a great pairing that we hope to see regularly on the podium.”

Having confirmed the squad’s 2020 Moto2 line-up, team manager Joan Olive wants to build a strong operating team around Lowes and is confident the team can “always fight for the maximum with both riders”.

“I think Sam’s arrival in the team will bring us a lot of positive things,” Olive said. “He has a lot of experience in the Moto2 class and has had great results in the past. He has a lot of potential.

“If you look at his numbers you can see that he is a talented rider who can go very fast. We hope to set up a working group where he feels comfortable and can prove his worth. No doubt we will give a rider all the tools they need to do it.

“I think he can fit in very well with the team and together with Alex Márquez they will form a very high level partnership. Both riders have a very positive character and understand perfectly that the objective and philosophy of the team is to always fight for the maximum with both riders. I think 2020 will be a great year.”

Lowes, a three-time Moto2 race-winner, has endured a tough 2019 campaign at Federal Oil Gresini with just five points finishes in the opening 12 rounds and the highlight of sixth place coming at the opener in Qatar.