MotoGP debutant Michael van der Mark says he is happy with his first day on the Tech3 YZR–M1, but is looking to gain more from the bike’s powerful carbon brakes.
World Superbike podium finisher van der Mark was called on by Tech3 to replace the unwell Jonas Folger, who has been struck down by a suspected case of Epstein Barr virus which forced him to withdraw from the flyaways and likely the Valencia Grand Prix.
The opening moments of first practice were slightly damp, which forced the Dutchman to sit in his garage while conditions improved sufficiently.
Once out on track, van der Mark was able to be comfortable on the M1 straight away and ended the session 19th, doing so again in the wet afternoon session.
“It has been an amazing day,” the Dutch rider, who was 2.8 seconds off of practice pacesetter Andrea Dovizioso on combined times, enthused.
“This morning the weather was not ideal, so I had to wait a bit before my first outing on the MotoGP bike.
“Then, when I took to the track, I immediately felt quite good and I was comfortable, so this morning I stayed out and enjoyed the opening session.
“Then, in FP2, with the rain, I felt positiobe and I improved step by step.”
As well as the Michelin tyres, van der Mark has to adjust from the steel brakes he uses in WorldSBK to carbon discs, and it is under braking where the Dutchman feels he is losing out the most.
“For my first day, it has been a great experience, but the thing that I need to work on the most is the braking because, for me, this is the biggest difference between MotoGP and WorldSBK,” he explained.
“The brakes are really powerful and it’s more difficult to find the limit of the braking point.
“I will focus on this, but tomorrow I hope we have some dry track time, and I just want to enjoy and improve every session.
“I think I can be very happy about my first day on the YZR–M1 and I want to keep progressing.”
