WorldSBK, the most disappointing home round for Michael van der Mark

Poor Michael Van Der Mark, what a dark weekend you had at Assen! Finally back at his home round (after the 2020 round was cancelled), the Dutch SMR BMW rider had more than a few problems during a weekend that brought ups and downs.

We were following local hero #60 closely. His round got off to a bad start when a technical problem put paid to his Friday morning. Having hit out - literally - at his M1000 RR, the Dutch rider clarified: "I did that to check the bike’s resistance and I can say that the front fairing is of really good quality”.

Jokes aside, the former Supersport champion continued to work but there were more setbacks in store. He did in fact do rather well in race 1, finishing fourth, but the local rider clearly wanted to give the fantastic spectators more.

A crash without damage, luckily

Saturday night’s storm required the intervention of the fire brigade, who did a wonderful job of drying the track. This done, it was time for the Superpole Race. VDM suffered a violent highside that saw him rolling in the wet grass all the way to a perimeter fence. The bike sustained limited damaged while the rider injured his leg.

But it could have been worse. And then, race 2. The Dutchman recovered well to finish sixth, not enough for one who was out for the podium. But despite it all, seeing him greet his local crowd will go down as one of the best moments of the 2021 season.

A more prolific past, a tough present, a brigher future

Not satisfied, but nevertheless happy. And yet, in the past he’s almost always reached the podium, or come very close. In Supersport, he won the 2014 race, and the title that same season, riding a Honda Ten Kate 600. With the 1000, he scored further strong results with the Japanese manufacturer.

And the same with Yamaha. VDM rode the R1 M with great style, the flying dutchman of Van Drenthe. Once the races were over, Michael spoke with the spectators: "I said hi to the fans and thanked them for coming. We’re nothing and nobody without the fans”. He added: “It didn’t go as I’d hoped, which means I’ll have to improve next time out”. How is it that despite a less than shining scorecard, Nordic riders complain less and are more constructive than those of latin temperament?

Translated by Heather Watson

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