In roadracing, success gets rewarded. At least, that’s how it’s worked for Michael Van Der Mark, who’s signed a contract to race in World Superbike next year.
Van Der Mark tore up the World Supersport circuit this year; with two races left, Van Der Mark has already clinched the series. He’s placed first or second in every race since his season opener crash at Philip Island, and that performance has made officials decide it’s time to move him up.
After only two seasons in World Supersport, he’s now racing for Pata Honda’s Superbike team, with the ink drying on a two-year contract. He’s already proved himself aboard Honda’s CBR1000, winning in his last two outings at the Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race in Japan.
Of course, this move now leaves questions about the future of Pata Honda’s existing superbike team – there have been rumours of both Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea leaving, but nothing’s certain yet. If that’s the case, though, we could see Pata Honda adding two new faces next year, not just one.
