Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours holds some special memories for Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team), and the most recent one being his podium finish there last season. Heading to France fresh off the back of a double podium finish in Portugal, it’s not another podium the 25 year old has his eye on; it’s the win.

Last standing on the top step of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship podium back in May at Donington Park, van der Mark has had a consistent season with four more podium finishes since then. But now with three rounds of the championship left, he is hunting down the runner-up spot in the standings and victory will help this cause.

Two podiums in WorldSBK here in the past, as well as three more top five finishes, he has also taken a podium finish at Magny-Cours in WorldSSP back in 2014. Looking forward to getting back on track for the final European round, he explains: "After a successful weekend in Portimao, with a podium finish in both races, I'm keen to get back on track this weekend in Magny-Cours. With the improvements we've made to the Yamaha YZF-R1 since the test in Portimao back in August, I believe we can be up there and fighting for the podium again in France.”

“Of course it's not just the podium that's the target,” continues the Dutchman. “I hope that we will also be able to fight for the win, because Donington Park seems such a long time ago now. Everyone in the team is extremely motivated and I'm confident we can finish the last European race weekend of the season with two strong results."

Follow van der Mark’s progress on the YZF-R1 around the 4.4km circuit this weekend, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.