POSITIVE FRIDAY FOR VAN DER MARK AT ASSEN
The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team today concluded the opening day of Free Practice at the historic TT Assen Circuit. Following the success of the previous round at Donington Park, the duo of Tom Sykes and local hero Michael van der Mark were eager to replicate this going into FP1 this morning. But Michael van der Mark struggled to find a good setting during FP1 as he found himself in P11, just out the top 10 with a 1’35.320.
The pace intensified going into the final free practice session of the day with the top 10 places covered by only half a second. Michael equally improved on his time from this morning as he made some solid steps forward with him BWW M1000 RR. His overall position – P11.
Michael: “It was quite a positive Friday if you look at our lap times and pace. We made a big step from this morning’s FP1 to FP2 as this morning I was not happy with the bike. Unfortunately, the position is not where we want to be, but with the progress we made from this morning is a good step. There are a couple of tenths missing to the front guys which is really close, but if we make that time up we will be in and around where we are wanting to be. I am happy with how our Friday has gone and looking forward now to Saturday’s Superpole and Race 1.”