VAN DER MARK READY FOR LAGUNA SECA SHOWDOWN
The iconic Laguna Seca circuit in California plays host to Round 9 of the FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend. With the annual summer break following immediately afterwards, Michael van der Mark arrives in the United States determined to finish the first part of the season by adding to his points and podium tallies.
Donington Park saw Van der Mark return to action just ten days after undergoing surgery following a heavy practice crash in Misano. It was an incredible performance from the Pata Yamaha rider, who raced to three top-ten finishes in Great Britain to pick up vital championship points. Van der Mark heads into the Laguna Seca round confident that his injured wrist will not adversely affect his performance, as he targets the top five in America.
Michael van der Mark – Pata Yamaha WorldSBK: “It’s great to be back in the USA, especially when we got to race at such a fantastic circuit as Laguna Seca. My wrist has improved a lot even in the week since Donington and, while it’s still not back to full fitness, I’m looking forward to racing again this weekend. In Race 2 at Donington I felt that I could have fought for a top five finish if I’d had the grip, so that’s the goal here at Laguna Seca.”
Schedule (local time)
Friday
10:30 – 11:20 WorldSBK FP1
15:00 – 15:50 WorldSBK FP2
Saturday
09:00 – 09:20 WorldSBK FP3
11:00 – 11:25 WorldSBK Superpole
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 1
Sunday
09:00 – 09:15 WorldSBK WUP
11:00 – WorldSBK Superpole Race
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 2