Pata Honda World Supersport Team in Spanish action

The Pata Honda World Supersport Team made its first outing since the official launch in Verona last weekend, completing a two-day test at Jerez in Spain yesterday.

The new pairing of Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti, both World Supersport debutants, put their Honda CBR600RRs through their paces on the same circuit at which they tested last November.

For Dutchman van der Mark it was a satisfying test in different conditions. The 20-year-old European Junior Superstock Champion completed a full race simulation with an improved and consistent race pace.

Zanetti, from Italy, continued the transition to his 2013 machine after competing in last year's World Superbike Championship. He improved his Jerez lap time by half a second and looks forward to more testing in Australia next month, where the first round of the World Supersport Championship will take place.

Michael van der Mark: "Yes, it was another good test for me. I am really enjoying the bike and getting used to the differences between it and the stock CBR600RR that I rode last season. The track conditions were not great and the circuit was not fully dry until around lunchtime on the second day. But I was able to put in a full race simulation and improved the consistency of my lap times for a better result. Now I am getting really excited about the trip to Australia - the Phillip Island circuit looks amazing and I cannot wait to ride there".

Lorenzo Zanetti: "These two days were a good opportunity for me to spend more time on the bike and to develop the new working relationship with the team. I am happy to say that both are working well - I am getting a better feeling with the bike and I was able to improve my lap time from the last test here. There is still a lot of work to do, so I am looking forward to some more testing time at Phillip Island before the first race".

Pieter Breddels - Technical Co-ordinator: "Michael did another good race run here at Jerez. It was better than the last time we were here, although he couldn't get the ultimate lap time, but conditions were quite different. Lorenzo has improved his consistency and his lap time by finding a more comfortable setting with the bike. It's been a positive test for both riders and we go to Phillip Island with confidence."