After a start to the season that saw ex-rookie Michael van der Mark begin with a 75% podium record, the Honda World Superbike Team rider is looking to continue his rostrum run in Donington after two slightly more difficult weekends. The Dutch rider was last on the podium at his home Round in Assen in Race 2 after pushing for the lead in Race 1 at his local track, but has found himself out of position in Imola and Malaysia.

Sepang Race 1 saw the Flying Dutchman struggle with grip in the dry, before encountering similar problems in the second half of Race 2 as the soaking track began to dry out. Van der Mark fought some spectacular battles on the circuit however to eventually finish in the top 6, including a last lap duel with Alex De Angelis that saw the Honda rider nudge over the finish line just ahead after going toe-to-toe in the final corner.

“In the warm up this morning we tried something different again but it didn’t really work out,” explained van der Mark. “Before the race I didn’t know what to expect and I think the rain came a bit like a gift for us. My start wasn’t so good and I got pushed wide at the first turn, but I immediately got a good feeling in full-wet conditions and was able to bridge the gap to the front. As soon as the track started to dry out, I started struggling with the grip and couldn’t brake as hard as I wanted to.”

Van der Mark remains an impressive P4 in the Championship after Round 6 of 2016, ahead of Ducati’s Davide Giugliano and behind Kawasaki rider and Sepang Race 1 winner Tom Sykes.

“I’m really disappointed because the result could have been much better and I feel we were still missing something. I’m really happy for Nicky and his first win; we on the other hand have to find that competitive set-up again, the one that allowed us to do so well in Australia and Thailand. I’m pretty sure we will be back at the front in Donington.”

Round 7 at Donington Park begins in two weeks time, as WorldSBK heads back to Europe from the searing heat of Sepang.