Title Image

Blog

Michael van der Mark 2017 Chang Saturday

TOP-5 FOR VAN DER MARK IN FIRST RACE IN THAILAND

  |   News Racing

The opening race of the FIM Superbike World Championship weekend at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand saw Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team riders Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes finish fifth and sixth respectively on their YZF-R1s, earning good points once again as they did during the opening round in Australia. Van der Mark took his opportunity to record his best result of the year, fifth place, after 20-laps in which he had to pass his team-mate early in the race and then concentrate through the hot conditions to bring it home just over three seconds from a podium finish. As was the case in Australia, the new championship rules governing the grid for race two will change the starting positions for many riders, including Van der Mark on Sunday. Michael will now start second on the grid.

Michael van der Mark (5th): “I was really happy with Superpole. We made a big step this morning then Superpole was really good and sixth was very positive for us at this stage of the year. Third to sixth place was really close in Superpole. That was important for us to be in there with them. For the Race I got a decent start and kept my position. For the first couple of laps Alex and I lost a bit in the first two sectors but in the corners we made it up. I am really happy because I was really consistent through the whole race – we just need to find a little bit more! I am happy with fifth place in my second race weekend with the team. I think everyone can be really happy today!”

Results

Superpole

Race 1