The Yamaha riders will be making their next stop in Misano, Italy and Michael van der Mark is aiming to repeat his success in Jerez.
Yamaha R1 riders will be heading into Round 7 of the FIM Superbike World Championship in Misano and the team is aiming to repeat their success in Jerez. Michael van der Mark of Pata Yamaha WorldSBK secured his first race win of the season by triumphing in Race 2 and finish the race the top points scorer. Marco Melandri clinched third place in Race 1 of Jerez whereas GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK teammate, Sandro Cortese, came in sixth place in Race 2.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
“We had a great weekend in Jerez with two podium finishes and our first race win of the season, so we head to Misano now with a really good feeling. We tested in Misano less than a month ago. Although the weather wasn’t ideal, we got enough dry track time to make things a little easier for us to get up to speed quickly this weekend. So, we have a really good package now, as we saw in Jerez, so I’m pretty sure we can enjoy another great weekend in Misano and fight once again for podium finishes in all three races,” says van der Mark as quoted from Yamaha Racing.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
“After a good test in Misano a few weeks ago, and with speed we showed in Jerez, I’m looking forward to getting back on track this weekend. We didn’t get the results we were hoping for in Jerez, but rather than going into Misano looking to make amends, I’m going to stick to the working process with my guys that has worked so well for us all year. We showed we had the pace to challenge for the podium in Jerez, so we know we can do the same this weekend in Misano. It’s always a great atmosphere when you race in Italy and, unlike the test, this weekend looks like it’s going to be a scorcher!”
Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
“I am looking forward to Misano, as it’s one of my favourite tracks and it’s where we made a significant step forward with the R1 during the recent test, identifying a set-up that works really well with my riding style. After Jerez, where my both my confidence and pace were improving day by day along, the whole team is full motivated to keep working and to keep improving. The weather is going to be hot; I’m feeling good and I’m sure it’s going to be a great weekend.”
Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
“I’m feeling confident and looking forward to returning to Misano, where we tested a few weeks ago. The updates we received from Yamaha at the test were a big help. It allowed me to secure my best result to date in Jerez last time out. My confidence in the bike is increasing. The smaller fuel tank has allowed me to be more relaxed on the bike, as well as improving my feeling. Misano, like Jerez, is a racetrack I know well and while I’m confident we can continue our run of top ten finishes there, the goal has to be to start closing on the top five. The weather forecast looks good, the track is very beautiful, and I can’t wait to race there once again.”
Loris Baz (Ten Kate Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the R1 in Misano. We learned so much during our first race weekend in Jerez. We made improvements and increased our knowledge of the bike over the three days in Jerez, which I was happy with. Now we head to Misano, where we already have an idea of what to expect, having completed our first ever test with the R1 at the circuit a few weeks ago.” “I think what we discovered with the bike between Race 1 and Race 2 in Jerez will help us to make another big step this weekend. In Jerez the group battling to finish in the top five were just a few seconds in front of me, so the target for Misano is to try and close this gap.
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