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Michael van der Mark 2017 Phillip Island test

PATA YAMAHA COMPLETE PHILLIP ISLAND TEST AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER

  |   News Racing

The Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team has concluded its pre-season preparation ahead of the 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with a two day official test at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Having capitalised on the best weather conditions during Monday’s late afternoon showing, Michael van der Mark concluded his first day on the Yamaha Superbike fourth in the combined times, setting a 1’32.440 on his 19th of 25 laps. Recovering quickly from a crash during the second day’s morning run, the Dutchman continued his progress with the YZF-R1 throughout the final two hours, completing his final test with a 1’31.936 set on his second machine, and sitting 13th in the overall standings. Van der Mark heads into his debut race weekend with a clear direction of progress highlighted and confident of his team’s abilities to deliver.

Michael van der Mark (13th / 1’31.936 / 88 laps): “We changed the bike a lot this morning compared to yesterday but I didn’t feel the big change I was expecting so we struggled a little bit in the first session. I had a big crash in turn eight when I lost the front so after that I went out on the second bike. I set my fastest lap this afternoon on the second machine but I still wasn’t completely happy with the set up, so we are still looking for the improvement I am after. I followed Alex this afternoon and I am clear with what we have to improve so now we have to check through the data to allow me to turn better and provide the confidence for the race weekend. I am sure we will find the solution, but I was hoping to have already made the step by the end of today’s test.”