WorldSBK season over for Alex Lowes, Leon Haslam amid injury woes

Alex Lowes and Leon Haslam have been forced to bring an early end to their respective 2021 WorldSBK Championship seasons after suffering physical issues at the Mandalika Circuit finale in Indonesia.

Tackling the new venue for the first time this weekend, Lowes became the first to feel the bite of the fast, flowing layout when he suffered a vicious high-side at T16 during FP3.

Landing heavily on his shoulder, the Kawasaki Racing Team rider has since been diagnosed with a right acromioclavicular joint separation, ruling him out of action for the remainder of the weekend.

It is the latest injury woe for Lowes, who has struggled with niggles since a heavy crash in Barcelona, an incident that forced him out of races in Jerez and Portimao.

Surgery scuppers Haslam's Honda WorldSBK swansong

Haslam, meanwhile, might have been denied the chance to compete in his final WorldSBK event after withdrawing with his own shoulder injury.

The experienced Briton underwent surgery between the Argentinian and Indonesan events but despite starting his last weekend as a Honda HRC rider well with the sixth fastest time after FP2, Haslam says he couldn’t see out the weekend.

“It’s a big disappointment to not be able to race here this weekend. This circuit has been fantastic, especially for the Honda and I was up inside the top six after FP2 despite my injury. 

“We were only 0.3 of a second from the fastest lap so, of all this year’s rounds and even in my current condition, this was probably the best Friday we’ve had, so being unable to race is very disappointing. I really wanted to round out the season and my time with the team on a positive note, but the guys have been amazing and very supportive of my shoulder injury. 

“I simply didn’t expect to be in this much pain and that, combined with a lack of strength, means we cannot race this weekend, but I really want to thank Honda, HRC and the entire team because everyone’s been fantastic all season long.”

Haslam is yet to announce his plans for the 2022 season, but has been linked with a return to BSB.