Newly crowned World Supersport Champion Michael van der Mark will move to the World Superbike Championship in 2015 and 2016 with the 21-year-old Dutchman signing a two-year deal with the Pata Honda team.
Van der Mark wrapped up the World Supersport at Jerez in Spain on September 7 – with two rounds to spare. Van der Mark is no stranger to the Honda CBR1000RR he will race the next two years as he been a part of the winning Honda team for the past two years in the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours.
“I’m really, really happy with this next step,” said van der Mark. “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. 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.”
Van der Mark has two more World Supersport races to compete in this year before he will start a winter testing program on the CBR1000RR. This year’s Pata Honda team consists of Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam. Haslam is rumored to be heading to a privateer Ducati team and Rea has yet to sign a deal for next year.
“In a way, I’m a little sad that we have to let Michael go from his contract with Ten Kate Racing for 2015,” said team manager Ronald ten Kate. “But in reality, I am absolutely happy and proud that he has been given this fantastic opportunity with Honda. There is now a clear plan and vision to grow his impressive talent in the future. We have been working with Michael now for four years – two in Superstock 600 and two in World Supersport – so this next step for him feels completely natural. He fully deserves this chance and we are all looking forward to taking these next steps together with him.”
