VAN DER MARK READY FOR HIS HOME RACE AT ASSEN
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team riders Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes arrive in Assen this week ready and fully motivated to tackle the famous Cathedral of Speed on their 2017 World Superbike spec YZF-R1 machines. Round four of the FIM World Superbike Championship will take place this weekend, the 29th and 30th April. Both Van der Mark and Lowes will be keeping their fingers crossed for better weather than last year, that saw everything from hail, rain and sunshine over the two days of Superbike racing.
Van der Mark returns to Assen this week to tackle his home round for the first time as an official Yamaha WorldSBK rider. The young Dutchman arrives in front of his home crowd in confident mood having booked steady and consistent progress on the YZF-R1 since joining the team at the beginning of the year. Two fifth place finishes in Aragon three weeks ago combined with strong local support and unrivalled track knowledge at Assen all add to Van der Mark’s potential this weekend.
Michael van der Mark: “I’m really looking forward to my home race. It’s always something special to ride in front of your home crowd. After the Aragon weekend with good results and a really good test I’m going to Assen with lots of confidence. The YZF-R1 starts to feel like really my own bike and together with the Assen circuit it should be a good combination. Hopefully we can get our best results of the season and really enjoy my home race!”