Pata Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark is beginning to get to grips with the YZF-R1 he’ll ride in the 2017 World Superbike Championship following a highly productive two days of testing in Jerez.
The 2014 World Supersport champion joins the Crescent team following two years in WorldSBK with Ten Kate Honda. The Dutchman replaces 2014 WorldSBK champion Sylvain Guintoli, who steps over to the British Superbike Championship this season with Benetts Suzuki.
Van der Mark spent the two days getting further acquainted with the Yamaha, focussing on chassis set-up on Tuesday. He ended the day 10th on the time sheets on a 1m41.908s having completed 67 laps of the Spanish circuit.
Wednesday saw van der Mark focus on setting up the R1’s electronics, using his and team-mate Alex Lowes’ data from the previous day to make great leaps in this area. Though remaining 10th, he did improve to a 1m41.450s and pounded out an impressive 78 laps.
The Dutch rider was left feeling happy with his progress and his consistency at the end of the two-day test, though admits that he still has laptime to find. Van der Mark and the Pata Yamaha team will now head to the Algarve in Portugal for two more days of private running this weekend before heading to Phillip Island next month for the final pre-season test ahead of the opening round of the championship.
“During the morning we made a big step forward with the handling of the bike and I felt so much more confident,” explained van der Mark.
“After that we just kept trying different chassis elements to what I prefer or not. Today proved that we really are consistent, which is good, but we still have to make another step in terms of pure performance.
“I’m sure the guys have enough data to work on to improve the bike even more, and on my side I think there is something more I can do to help the laptime with the R1, so we will see what Portimao brings.”
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