HONDA WORLDSBK DUO AIMING FOR BRITISH SUCCESS AT DONINGTON PARK
Honda WorldSBK Team’s Michael van der Mark and Nicky Hayden are ready to tackle the seventh round of the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship, which takes place this weekend at Donington Park. The circuit, located in the heart of UK on the border between Leicestershire and Derbyshire, hosted the very first event of the series back in 1988; this year will be the twenty-fourth time that World Superbike racing has been staged at this iconic venue.
Michael van der Mark has had contrasting fortunes at Donington Park in recent years. He was victorious in World Supersport 2014 in a close last-lap battle with title rival Jules Cluzel, while in his debut World Superbike year last season he had to pull out from both races. The 23-year-old Dutchman is aiming to return to his early-season form, which saw him on the rostrum three times in the first four races, and to improve on his current tally of four podium finishes in 2016.
Michael van der Mark: “After the Sepang round I was of course far from happy with our results, especially as I know how competitive we can be. The plan is therefore to make sure we get back to the same level as we were in the first two rounds and get the best out of my Fireblade again. I really enjoy riding at Donington Park and have good memories from 2014; it is a very technical track with a great mix of everything. It’s a very different circuit compared to Sepang, but I’m looking forward to this new challenge and hope for a couple of good results in front of the British crowd.”