VAN DER MARK LIGHTS UP THE DESERT IN QATAR
Pata Honda’s Michael van der Mark set an electrifying pace in this evening’s two free practice sessions for the 11th and final round of the World Supersport championship at Losail in Qatar. Racing under lights for the first time and debuting at the 5.380km Losail International Circuit, the 2014 World Supersport champion was fastest in both sessions and ended the evening almost half a second ahead of his nearest challenger, Frenchman Lucas Mahias.
Michael van der Mark: “It’s my first ever experience in Doha and, from the first lap, I have really enjoyed this track. Also, riding under the lights here is really different and I needed to get used to that in the beginning. But I love the track – it’s really fast-flowing, which really suits me, and the CBR feels really great here. We just have to improve some things for tomorrow but, for the first day and my first time here, I’m really happy!”
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator: “It’s amazing the way that Michael learned the track within a few laps here, got to the front and stayed there throughout both sessions. He was quite a bit faster than the other guys so no big dramas there.”