VAN DER MARK HEADS ROW TWO AT MAGNY-COURS
Michael van der Mark will start tomorrow’s tenth round World Supersport championship race from the head of the second row after setting the fourth fastest time in this afternoon’s qualifying session at Magny-Cours in France. The Pata Honda rider had been fastest in both free practice sessions yesterday but suffered a small crash this afternoon and was unable to put together a single fast lap in today’s sessions. However, the 21-year-old Dutch ace, who has already secured this year’s World Supersport championship title, is happy with his race pace for tomorrow’s 19-lap encounter at the 4.411km French circuit.
Michael van der Mark: “I made a mistake today and had a crash, which lost me a bit of time. But I’m quite happy with the race pace and I was able to do some consistently fast laps today. I’m really happy with that and, even though fourth place is not where I want to be, if you look at the race pace I must be happy.”
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator: “Michael is fourth without any major dramas, in spite of his crash. But his race pace is really good and I think tomorrow he can go for the victory.”