Van der Mark back on Supersport podium

Dutch rider Michael van der Mark scored another rostrum finish in today’s second round World Supersport race at Motorland Aragon in Spain – his second successive podium, following his World Supersport debut in Australia seven weeks ago.

Today’s 18-lap race around the 5.344km Spanish circuit was won by veteran French rider Fabien Foret as 20-year-old van der Mark put in another mature and considered race-long performance in his rookie world championship season.

Michael van der Mark – 2nd

I made a really good start and passed the fastest guys and I tried to push but I had not such a good feeling with the bike today. It was very different to how it was in practice and it’s a shame we could not have done a little bit more. I tried to stay with Fabien (Foret) and Sam (Lowes) when they passed me but it was too risky. I saw that the guy behind wasn’t catching me so, although I kept pushing, I wasn’t on the limit because I felt that another podium would be a good result. I’m really happy to be back on the podium and to be in second place in the championship. The guys have done a really good job all weekend and now I’m really looking forward to Assen.

Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator

Another fantastic podium for Michael! He had a really good start and managed to stay at the front and finished second. He’s also second in the championship, and we don’t know what to say. It’s amazing, actually. Yes, some of our competitors had some bad luck but we’re still very, very happy. We must keep calm now and see what we can do in Assen, but I think we can do good things there. 

2013 World Supersport championship, round two

Motorland Aragon, Spain – 5.344km, 18 laps

Race result:

1 Fabien Foret (FRA) Kawasaki

2 Michael van der Mark (NED) Pata Honda

3 Luca Scassa (ITA) Kawasaki

4 A Antonelli (ITA) Kawasaki

5 R Russo (ITA) Kawasaki

6 Lorenzo Zanetti (ITA) Pata Honda

Championship points after two rounds:

1 Foret 38, 2 van der Mark 36, 3 Scassa 26, 4 Kenan Sofuoglu (TUR) Kawasaki 25, 5 Antonelli 22, 6 Sam Lowes (GBR) Yamaha, 7 Zanetti 18.

Next round: TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands – 26-28 April