Home hero Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a premature end to Race 2 during the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship visit to the TT Circuit Assen for the Pirelli Dutch Round. The Dutchman had a highside during Lap 2 of the 21-lap race at the final chicane which launched him off his bike and out of the race. He was initially taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash, before being transported to Assen Hospital for further assessments on a suspected left femur fracture. Following the further checks at hospital, the left femur fracture has been confirmed for van der Mark.

On the Monday following the round, BMW announced that van der Mark had undergone successful surgery on his left femur fracture in Gronigen, in the Netherlands. The German manufactuer also added that he is “doing well” following the surgery.

Van der Mark had been enjoying his home round and took 13^th place in Race 1 before taking tenth in the Tissot Superpole Race on Sunday morning. The Dutchman had been looking to move up the order before his crash as he looked to give his fans on home soil a reason to cheer but he crashed at the chicane off his BMW M 1000 RR machine. Van der Mark had secured one top-six result in the 2023 season, which he came into fully fit after last year’s injuries, as well as scoring points on a regular basis.

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