The Flying Dutchman arrived at his home track last year as a rookie yet to score a podium, and left with two: his first, and the first for the Netherlands. After some fantastic fights and a last chicane shimmy with Leon Haslam in 2015, the Honda rider cemented his place as a rider who belongs in the fight for victory in WorldSBK. After his first pole position – another first for his country – in Buriram in Thailand this year, the stars are aligning and the question has become when he will score his first victory, rather than if. In addition, his home race at Assen was where he managed his maiden win in WorldSSP, on the way to winning the 2014 Championship.

In this feature interview, van der Mark talks about the circuit, his experience last season and his aim for his home races in 2016.