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2014 Donington Park - Michael van der Mark

SECOND WIN FOR VAN DER MARK!

  |   News Racing

Pata Honda rider Michael van der Mark took his Honda CBR600RR to a second World Supersport victory at today’s fifth-round race at Donington Park in the UK and so extended his championship lead to 14 points. The 21-year-old Dutch ace started today’s 20-lap race around the 4.023km Donington circuit from pole position, but a bad start left van der Mark in sixth place in the opening laps. However, he worked his way to the front and enjoyed a thrilling last-lap battle with Frenchman Jules Cluzel, who was second today, and British rider Kev Coghlan who completed the podium.

 

Michael van der Mark: “It’s been an amazing weekend and we were really fast from the beginning when it was dry on Friday. Yesterday, in the wet, I took my first pole position but today my start to the race wasn’t that good. I struggled with grip in the first few laps but later in the race, when I found my own pace, I got faster and faster. I caught the group in front of me and passed them slowly. When I managed to pass them I was able to go away and then had a nice fight with Jules Cluzel. I made a few small mistakes and for the last two corners I didn’t want to take too much risk. I’m really happy and want to thank the team – we’ve worked hard all weekend and then I had a silly crash in warm-up. Luckily they were able to repair the bike quickly and it was perfect today.”

 

Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator: “Michael got off to a slow start from his pole position and it took him a while to get into a groove. When he finally got into a good rhythm he was really strong and battled the last few laps with Cluzel and got the better of him to win. He has a clear lead in the championship now, so we’re very happy for that.”