Michael Van Der Mark’s switch to the Pata Honda squad’s World Superbike team may not be as cast in stone as first thought after the newly-crowned Supersport king said there was ‘nothing really done’ in terms of a deal to move into the big class.

Van Der Mark claimed the Supersport crown at his first time of asking at Jerez and it was believed he had already signed for promotion into the Ten Kate-run team’s WSBK operation but he may have come to the attention of Moto2 teams as did his predecessor Sam Lowes. He has also been previously linked with the Forward Yamaha MotoGP squad.

“I showed at Suzuka I can be fast on a 1000cc. Nothing is really done at the moment but my heart is with Honda, they helped me a lot: I got two Suzuka Eight-Hours titles and a WSS Championship win with them. There is a great chance I will be with them in World Superbike next year,” said the Dutchman.

If Van Der Mark doesn’t step up with Honda, that leaves two potential seats in the team with Jonathan Rea either Kawasaki or MotoGP bound, and Leon Haslam known to be looking at other options. Step forward Alex Lowes and Josh Brookes?