British rider Alex Lowes, born in Lincoln along with twin brother and fellow racer Sam Lowes, began his career in the British 125 Championship before moving up through British Superbike to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. After 4 seasons of BSB appearances, Lowes won the British title in 2013 with 8 wins over the course of the season. In 2016 Lowes is with Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, with continuing support from Crescent, riding the YZF R1 as the Japanese manufacturer returns to WorldSBK with a factory effort. With only one previous appearance in MotoGP(tm), in the 125 race at Donington Park in 2006, Lowes will be getting his first proper taste of the sister paddock as he replaces injury-stricken Bradley Smith at Monster Yamaha Tech 3, following a test ride of the prototype Yamaha machine after the Czech GP in return for his part in the Yamaha victory in the 2016 Suzuka 8H.