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Thailand WSBK: Van Der Mark takes debut Superpole ahead of Rea

Honda’s ​Michael Van Der Mark held off all-comers at Chang International Circuit in Thailand to take pole position for both World Superbike races with an excellent Superpole performance.

The Kawasaki duo of Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes completed the front row alongside the 23-year-old after some late progress following a testing session.

Van Der Mark had imposed himself on proceedings from the beginning as he lead the way with just over 10 minutes remaining in the shootout, but he faced a stern battle with just minutes remaining.

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Both Pata Yamahas of Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes had come close to the Dutchman in the opening part of the session, but with most riders opting to return to the pits for final tweaks before their last assault on Superpole the tussle for top spot was only beginning.

With around six minutes left the pitlane was alive with activity, everyone seeking to gain whatever small advantage they could in a session that had hitherto saw first to tenth separated by just 0.83s.

Chaz Davies was the first to emerge from the paddock ready for a final effort and despite earlier struggles with the Panigale the Welshman was hurtling around the Buriram circuit.

Davies’ efforts had him under in all three sectors, even though he had to make an audacious - and totally necessary - pass under his team-mate Davide Giugliano to ensure he kept his speed and momentum and in the end it was enough to put the Welshman top, but only momentarily.

A series of fast laps came thick and fast from a number of different riders as Nicky Hayden put himself on the second row only to be bumped down to eighth when the rest came charging behind.

Davies reinforced his lead with a 1’33 but both Sykes and Guintoli were chasing and it was the Yorkshireman who showed all of his Superpole class to go top.

Sykes’ barely had time to enjoy his place at the top before Van Der Mark came fighting back to take over at the front and while Rea could only better himself into second ahead of his team-mate, the Honda rider was able to cement his Superpole success with a stunning 1’33.452 on his very last lap.

That saw Chaz Davies knocked back onto the second row alongside Guintoli and his Aruba.it Ducati team-mate Davide Giugliano with Britain’s Alex Lowes - suffering an engine problem - only able to post fast enough for seventh using a race tyre on the third row alongside Hayden and Althea BMW’s Markus Reiterberger.

Jordi Torres, Karel Abraham and Matteo Baiocco completed the fourth row after the latter duo edged out Josh Brookes in Superpole one. The former British champion will start on row five alongside Leon Camier and Roman Ramos.

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