Van der Mark laps Portimao in wet and dry

The Pata Honda WSB squad has been the first major team out of the starting blocks in pre-season testing, with WSS champion Michael van der Mark and WSB champion Sylvain Guintoli starting to lap Portimao on Wednesday 14th January, the first of three days on track in their private sessions.

According to van der Mark, a rookie in WSB this year but also a two-time Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race winner on a CBR1000RR, weather conditions started well but deteriorated on day two. 

“On day one we had a really nice day and dry weather so we did a lot of laps,” said the 22-year old WSB rookie.

“I had a good feeling. Today we started out again but after a couple of laps it started to rain. I rode many laps in the rain.” 

Van der Mark, looking to gain every minute of experience he can in all conditions as he takes a significant step-up in 2015, continued on track despite the change in weather conditions.

“It was just to get more track time for me and also to get used to the bike in the wet. It was necessary and we made some small changes but the biggest steps we made were just with me riding.” 

One more day of Portimao track action remains for the official Honda team, on Friday 16th January. They will then join some of their peers for more tests on the Iberian Peninsula before the whole WSB paddock heads to Australia for the first round of the season.