World SBK

Northern Irish rider Ian Lowry, who will partner KRT regular Tom Sykes at the Nürburgring World Superbike round on Sept. 5, has just completed a two-day test in Spain in readiness for his next challenge.

Lowry has already ridden for the PBM operated KRT team, in a BSB round at Brands Hatch in early August, but the test in Spain allowed him more time to get his machine dialled in before his first ever WSBK race.

He will deputise for team regular Chris Vermeulen, who is recuperating from recent surgery on his right knee.

Despite intense heat making the Almeria test a real challenge for all involved, Lowry and his crew eventually found a strong set-up to take to the 11th round of the WSBK championship.

Ian Lowry says: "It all went well and I'm pretty pleased. The bike is really good; it just took us a little while to get a setting that works with my riding style, but we seem to have found that now. We made some big steps with the bike set-up on the second morning. We worked hard to get there and I am happy with the way things are going."

"The team has been fantastic in getting the bike to where it is now. The track surface was so hot we did not get out on the final afternoon. The air temperature was 44 degrees at one stage. Coming from Northern Ireland, I have never experienced heat like that before!"