Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) continues to make positive steps with his new team for 2017, and was happy with his performance on Saturday at the Chang International Circuit, through from Superpole through to the Race One.

Securing pole position last year, van der Mark clearly gets on well with the 4.554m circuit, and battled through the 35⁰C heat to take a top five finish. He struggled a little before the grip levels dropped, which meant he was unable to stay with the front runners. However he is not disheartened with fifth and has a plan for Sunday’s race; of which he will start from the front row.

“I am really happy,” beamed van der Mark, “Yesterday afternoon I did a race simulation which was ok, and we tried some things on the bike which meant I was a lot faster. In Superpole I put in a good lap, P6 for us is a good job.

“In the race, I got an ok start and I stayed in the same position, in the beginning Alex and I lost time in the first two sectors where we miss some speed. When the grip dropped a bit my pace was similar to the guys in front of me, but I just couldn’t catch them. I’m really happy to finish in fifth, it’s only the second race weekend with the team and I’m really happy. I felt really comfortable with the bike today, so this is a big step from Phillip Island.”

On top of his positive day, the 24 year old is thrilled with his front row start: “To start on the front row is good for us; hopefully we can stay a little bit closer in the first laps with the front guys. We missed the first few in the first couple of laps, hopefully tomorrow we can stay with them a little bit longer and we can find some pace, because that’s all we need.”

With a clear view into turn one tomorrow, van der Mark will be looking to stick with the flying front runners for Race two, in only his fourth race aboard the YZF-R1 which begins at 16:00LT.