Alex Lowes splits with MSS Kawasaki

MSS Colchester Kawasaki and Alex Lowes have parted ways in an amicable split.

Lowes has increased his exposure in a long way over a short period time after running amongst the factory bikes on an EVO-spec Honda, to his substitution rides with MSS Colchester Kawasaki deputising for the injured Stuart Easton and finally stepping-up to the World Superbikes championship standing-in for Jonathan Rea at Castrol Honda.

Starting the year on board the WFR Honda in the BSB EVO class, Lowes impressed in the opening rounds on the lower-spec machine, including a best of fifth in the third round at Croft. Lowes would split with the team over a contractual dispute, during this time he was picked up by MSS Kawasaki to replace Stuart Easton after his injuries sustained in practice at the NW200.

Taking pole in his first race on the Kawasaki ZX-10R, this notable performance earned the 21-year-old a place within the team for the remainder of the season. From here Lowes gained a further substitution ride for Castrol Honda taking Rea's seat on the Ten Kate Honda Fireblade for two rounds whilst he was injured.

Since joining MSS Kawasaki Lowes has been unable to continue the form shown at Thruxton and the location of his best finish on the bike with seventh, with the majority of his further rides on the Kawasaki resulting in crashes - along with two crashes out of top ten positions from this weekend's round at Cadwell Park.

On the decision to split with Lowes, team owner Nick Morgan said, “Alex is a very talented young rider but it might have been too big an ask to move up from Supersport to Evo to BSB and WSB, all in such a short space of time. We wish Alex every success in the future and look forward to seeing him around the paddock. To be honest we’ve also got to that point of the year already where we are looking at next season both in terms of the new rules and riders.”