SPANISH POLE POSITION FOR VAN DER MARK
Pata Honda rider Michael van der Mark will start tomorrow’s ninth-round World Supersport championship race from pole position after setting the fastest time in this afternoon’s qualifying session at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. The 21-year-old Dutch rider, who can secure the 2014 World Supersport title tomorrow if he takes three points more than series rival Jules Cluzel, has been fastest in every session at the 4.423km Jerez circuit and extended that domination with a 1m44.293s lap this afternoon.
Van der Mark’s Pata Honda team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti will start alongside him on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s 19-lap race after setting the third fastest time this afternoon. Kenan Sofuoglu was second fastest today but must begin the race from pitlane after contravening engine durability regulations during the season. Zanetti consequently moves up one place for a Pata Honda 1-2 on the grid.
Michael van der Mark: “Today was a really good day! We started fast again this morning and I did quite a long run on a really good pace which was really good for confidence in the set-up. This afternoon we decided to try some little things which worked OK but the track was warming up a lot, which reduced the grip. At the end Lorenzo and I worked together and we have a 1-2 on the grid which is amazing for the team and the race tomorrow.”
Pieter Breddels -technical co-ordinator: “Michael has been strong and leading all sessions here at Jerez. Today he just finished it off with pole position which is a fantastic way to start tomorrow’s race. Tomorrow is an important day when we could win a championship but we have to keep things together, get a good start and, hopefully, have an exciting race.”