World Superbike rookie Michael van der Mark made an impressive start to his 2015 campaign at Phillip Island, bagging fifth place in his first-ever race despite having to content with grip issues after chasing experienced men Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam and Chaz Davies.
Things didn’t go to plan for the Dutchman in race two. He took the lead on lap eight and tried to make a break from the race-one podium men but a big drop in grip levels saw them catch back up and van der Mark eventally crashed out at MG corner as he asked too much of the Pirellis.
“Friday morning started as a bit of a nightmare really because we changed the bike a lot compared to the test earlier in the week. It was just not working but from the second free practice we started getting faster and faster and when the temperatures went really high yesterday we were still fast and managed the tyres well. I had a good feeling for the races but we were a bit unlucky that the weather was not as hot as yesterday,” said the youngster.
“I had quite a good start to the first race and was aggressive in the first couple of laps, but I couldn’t stay with the front guys. I had a big drop in the tyre as well, so I had to focus on the guy behind me and save some tyre to bring it back in fifth. We made a couple of small electronics changes for the second race but I was hoping for a bit more hot weather. The start wasn’t reall y great but I was really aggressive and could stay with the front guys this time. I even led the race for a few laps which felt really good before I had another big, big drop in the tyre.
“I tried to follow the guys but just pushed a bit too hard and lost it. But my guys did an amazing job this weekend and to be fifth in my first Superbike race was incredible. To be leading in my second Superbike race was just too good to be true.”
