WSBK – Champion Van den Mark rides Superbike with Honda – Van den Mark on the Fireblade in 2015 and 2016

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Champion Van den Mark rides Superbike with Honda

WSBK - Champion Van den Mark rides Superbike with Honda - Van den Mark on the Fireblade in 2015 and 2016

Titled in Superstock 600 in 2012 then in Supersport this year with the CBR600RR (video!), The young and talented Van den Mark remains loyal to Honda: ” Magic Michael ” will drive the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP during the next two seasons of World Superbike.

Van den Mark on the Fireblade in 2015 and 2016

At just 22 years old – his birthday is October 26 – Michael van den Mark has already won the two most prestigious titles of motorcycle speed (derived from the series) in 600 cc. Winner of the Superstock 600 cup two years ago, the Dutch driver won the Supersport World Championship this year, two races before the end of the season (read our).

Faithful to the Ten Kate team – and therefore to Honda – since his arrival in the world of Superbike, "Magic Michael" was expected with a firm footing next year on a CBR, but in the Superbike category this time. And it’s just been confirmed !

Van den Mark signed a two-year contract with the Tokyo brand this weekend and thus acquired the status of Honda factory rider, a title he shares with the two official riders of the winged marque in MotoGP: Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa themselves.

"In a way, I’m a little sad not to renew the contract between Michael and Ten Kate Racing.", admits Ronald Ten Kate, team manager of the Honda team in WSBK,"but in reality I am absolutely happy and proud that Honda is giving him this fantastic opportunity".

"We are so delighted that Michael has found his place at Honda"says the new boss of VDM, Robert Watherston, responsible for sports activities at Honda Motor Europe."It has stuck perfectly between the CBR range and him, from the first day in European Superstock which he won in 2012".

"He now has a world title with Honda and the CBR600RR, and we can’t wait to go through the next two-year cycle, in which we aim for the same goal: to win another world championship together.", predicts the big boss of the Reds.

Michael is naturally delighted to stay with Honda, "his" excellent Batavian team and title sponsor Pata for the next two seasons. Admittedly, the CBR1000R is objectively not the best bike of the field, but the young boy has already achieved exploits on his handlebars … and intends to start again !

VDM has indeed won the last two races in and, in the company of Leon Haslam, whose fate is not yet known in World Superbike … Michael also warns that "the 2015 season is going to be very interesting: there are new rules and I think there will be some surprises next year", predicts the Magician.

As a reminder, the Superbike category will once again become "unique" in 2015 (read) and the machines will be a little less "typed", which could serve the good but old Fireblade…

To be at the level of the best motorcycles of the field (ZX-10R and RSV4) whatever the circuit or the weather, the Honda team will have to further refine its electronics. In recent seasons, traction control and engine brake management have kept Jonathan Rea from winning the title..

This other 100% Honda rider, bored with the inconstancy of "his" Fireblade, would be expected next year among the Greens … Sylvain Guintoli could then take his place at Honda but questioned by MNC, the Anglo-Drôme pilot n ‘did not wish to confirm or deny this possibility, specifying that it was "under contract with Aprilia until the end of the season "… To be continued on MNC: stay tuned !

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