Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) put in a hard fought race at Donington Park for the Pata UK Round, as he narrowly missed out on his debut podium for Yamaha.

Getting a storming start off the line, the Dutchman was able to get a solid line into Redgate corner, and made the most of the opportunity from the line. Continuing with a consistent pace, van der Mark was able to get into the fight for the podium but was unable to hold off Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on the final laps.

Happy with the top four position, the 24 year old was still happy with his result: “Fourth place is what we need to be really happy with but riding all race in third, I have mixed feelings, I had an ok start, when Jonny took the lead and i thought I have to pass the other guys to follow him a bit. I had a good pace, consistent and a lot faster than yesterday but then in the last seven or eight laps I saw that the gap was closing behind me. I knew it was Chaz, I kept pushing and I was was so consistent but I just missed a little bit extra. We missed out on our first podium but I’m also really happy with my race, with my bike and a strong P4.”

Team-mate Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) was unable to replicate his home heroics from race one in front of his home fans, the British rider took a solid fifth position.

Struggling with the start from the third row, Lowes was unable to get through the field on the opening laps which meant he suffered for the rest of the race. Moving into the top five, Lowes was hoping to fight with his team-mate but was unable to push with his rear tyre.

Lowes explains: “It was a good weekend, the second race was a bit frustrating, I had a few problems with the rear, the biggest problem was that I didn’t get the best of starts coming off the third row, the first five or six laps I got held up a little bit and by the time I got some clear track Michael was 2 seconds up the road and then that gap stayed the same. Near the end at the hot conditions I as losing some time and in the end Chaz just passed me and I had to settle for fifth. It’s hard because the top guys seem to make up the places but I don’t seem to, whereas guys on the front row are getting an advantage. Today the grid didn’t quite work for me, it wasn’t as fun of a race but overall a third and a fifth was a good weekend for me and I’m looking forward to testing next week.”  

Keep up with all the mid-season action as the WorldSBK riders head to test at Misano next week, and with the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team will be present looking to find that extra pace to fight at the front.