Following on from the recent return to track other from other riders within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock, Michael van der Mark (PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) was able to get back on track with a training session at TT Circuit Assen. He was joined by Jaimie van Sikkelerus (MPM Routz Racing Team), Glenn van Straalen (EAB Ten Kate Racing), Scott Deroue (MTM Racing Team) plus Moto2™ rider Bo Bendsneyder. Deroue’s MTM Racing Team teammates, Koen Meuffels and Jeffrey Buis, were also at Assen for the track day.

Van der Mark took to the track and completed 65 laps as he rode a bike on track for the first time since the season-opening round at Phillip Island. The Dutch rider was on a standard 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M, using slick racing tyres, as he sampled the resurfaced Assen circuit for the first time. The track had been resurfaced over the winter and received positive feedback from van der Mark.

Van der Mark said: “It’s amazing to be back on the bike. It’s one of the best feelings in the world and it’s been a while since Australia. Today was just clearing the air, getting back up to speed, the Dutch racing federation organised a really nice track day. To get back at Assen, this track is one of my favourites. It was completely resurfaced. The surface is so smooth when we will be racing, we’ll be doing fast lap times.”

When asked about the social distancing measures put in place, van der Mark said: “I think it’s the way everybody has to respect now and it’s a different lifestyle for everyone to keep their distance. This is the only way we can go back racing and Assen today did a fantastic job, everything was really clear. Everybody just has to respect the rules as it’s the only way we can go back racing.”

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