Michael van Der Mark has signed a two-year deal to race with the Pata Honda team in the World Superbike championship in 2015 and 2016. The newly crowned World Supersport rider will ride the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP from next season.
The 21-year-old, who secured the Supersport series title with two rounds to spare this month in Jerez in Spain, will ride in the premier class from 2015, leaving the question as to who will take the other ride in the team, as current rider's Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam have been linked to other teams.
The Dutch rider also did a lap of honour at his home track of Assen during the MCE British Superbike round this afternoon, but had also been linked to a ride in Moto2, and even with the Forward Yamaha MotoGP squad.
“I’m really, really happy with this next step. It’s been going in two-year stages for me with the team, so this next stage in World Superbikes is fantastic and really exciting. It’s a good and safe place to be with Honda for 2015 and 2016,” said Van Der Mark.
“I’ve had a great experience with this team for the last two years and there was never really any question that I would be going anywhere else. World Superbikes in 2015 is going to be really interesting – there are new technical regulations and I think there will be a few surprises next year. Although the electronics will be a big change for me, I have shown that I can ride a superbike and now I really can’t wait to get started.”
