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Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) are looking forward to continuing their steady pace they have been building with their R1 machines, as Lowes looks at feeling fully fit following his Portimao crash in race two. Whilst van der Mark is looking forward to getting back to his MOTUL FIM World Superbike Team following a hectic few weeks.

Putting a difficult weekend behind him in Portugal, Lowes crashed out of the second race of the weekend but is still sitting in fifth position in the world championship standings ahead of the final three rounds of the season. Ready for a tough weekend ahead, with the technical nature of the French circuit on top of the weather always playing its part, the British rider heads into Round 11 determined and positive.

"I'm excited for the Magny-Cours weekend,” Begins Lowes. “I have been working hard to get back to good fitness, after the injuries I suffered at Portimao. I am still feeling pretty sore from my Race 2 crash, so I won't be quite 100%, but I'm determined to be at the best level I can be. In terms of the track, it's quite a technical one with some, faster, flowing sections and also some slower parts. The weather always plays a part in France too, so I'm looking forward to facing the challenge head-on and getting the best results possible."

Fresh off the back of his debut podium with the Japanese manufacturer in Portugal, Michael van der Mark will make the most of his return to the WorldSBK paddock following his weekend in MotoGP™. Waiting on the sidelines to replace Valentino Rossi, van der Mark spent the weekend at MotorLand Aragon, but was not needed to ride the YZR-M1 machine. Putting his behind him, he is focused back on the WorldSBK paddock and is hoping to bring some confidence forward.

Van der Mark is full of positivity ahead of the Pirelli French Round: "I cannot wait to get back on my Pata Yamaha R1 at Magny-Cours! It is a circuit I really like and I think it will really suit the characteristics of the R1. Portimao was a good weekend for me and it was great to get my first Yamaha podium, which is the least the team and Yamaha deserve after all their hard work this season. A result like that can give you confidence, as you know you belong on the podium, plus we worked on a few things at the test that, we believe, mean we can arrive at most tracks with a good base setup and hit the ground running on Friday's. After everything that has been going on, I am looking forward to getting back to business at Magny-Cours and, as always, I will give it my all!"

Follow the determined Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team around the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, as they are looking to continue improving their pace throughout the season, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass from Friday 29^th September.