Michael van der Mark | photo© BMW Motorrad
Michael van der Mark ended the weekend in Estoril on Sunday afternoon with a creditable fifth place in Race 2 of the Estoril Round, the penultimate round of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship season. The mere fact that the Dutchman appeared at the start in Estoril this weekend already commanded respect, due to sad family circumstances.
Michael van der Mark took part in the Estoril Round this weekend despite sad family circumstances – Michael’s mother (63) died suddenly and completely unexpectedly earlier this week. Despite this private situation, and without any pressure from his employer BMW and his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Van der Mark chose to travel to Portugal and appear at the start this weekend during the penultimate round of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship season.
Despite everything, Van der Mark managed to hold his own during the weekend, scoring a neat sixth lap time during the Superpole on Saturday and then later in the day scoring a seventh place in Race 1. On Sunday morning in the Tissot Superpole Race, the Dutchman had to although they settled for thirteenth place and then scored a very creditable fifth place later in the day in Race 2.
Michael van der Mark: “It has obviously been a difficult weekend after what happened this week. I want to thank the whole team and BMW for the support, because it was tough but there was no pressure from them at all. I wanted to drive anyway. Friday was a day to forget, but yesterday wasn’t that bad. I had a good feeling in Superpole and later that day I scored some important points in Race 1. But it was a difficult long race and I didn’t feel great. In today’s Superpole Race I didn’t have a good feeling at all. I really tried my best, but it just didn’t work.
So for Race 2 it was important to stay calm and from P11 I had a good start and a good race. My pace was good, it was a nice and long battle, especially in the closing stages of the race with Andrea Iannone. We are still fighting for sixth place in the championship, so I wanted to stay ahead of him no matter what. The bike felt really good and it was nice to finish fifth in Race 2. Now I think everyone can’t wait to go to Jerez and have a fantastic weekend there after seeing what Toprak did this weekend. He was very close to BMW’s ultimate dream and I will be ready to support him as much as possible.”
Good results, strong or weak races, in recent days, this weekend and also in the coming days, other things in life were and are more important. On behalf of the entire Racesport.nl editorial staff, we wish the Van der Mark family a lot of strength in these undoubtedly difficult and difficult times.
Useful links Estoril Round:
Timetable and full results
Where to follow on TV
NEW | MotoGP and WorldSBK ticket shop
Photo verslag
Also follow Racesport.nl via the social media channels below
Facebook | Instagram | — X — | Threads | YouTube
Voluntary contribution
Are you a loyal visitor to this website, are you satisfied with the free-to-read motorsport news we provide and would you like to support the work of the Racesport.nl editorial team?
This can be done by making a voluntary contribution via the payment link voluntary contribution to Racesport.nl or by transferring a contribution to the following bank account number:
NL31 BUNQ 2035 9539 44 t.n.v. ES Event & Sports Promoterstating ‘voluntary contribution Racesport.nl’
