Van der Mark: I didn’t have quite enough to end Rea winning run

Michael van der Mark felt he couldn’t find a big enough advantage to fight back against Jonathan Rea in the hunt for victory in race two at Misano but was still content with second to strengthen his third place in the championship.

The Pata Yamaha rider led the second Misano race with three laps to go but after running wide at the final corner it allowed Rea to power alongside down the pit straight and dive into the lead around Turns 2 and 3.

Despite being able to keep pace with the Kawasaki rider in the closing stages, van der Mark concedes he wasn’t able to find a overtaking place without taking huge risks so had to settle for second place and see Rea extend his victory run to four consecutive races.

The Dutch rider feels a first World Superbike race win since his maiden double at Donington Park had been possible but accepts second place having missed out on the rostrum for the past three races – his equal-longest stretch in 2018.

“My start wasn't that great so I followed Xavi Fores for a couple of laps, but I think he had a problem and I passed him,” van der Mark said. “Once at the front I tried to do my own pace and find my own rhythm. I thought I would be a bit faster, but in the hot temperatures it was difficult.

“I saw that the three riders behind were involved in a big fight, so I just tried to stay as consistent as possible. I managed to pull a bit of a gap but then lap-by-lap Johnny Rea was getting closer and he eventually passed me when I made a small mistake.

“I could follow him and stay close for the last two laps, but I didn't quite have enough to overtake him. A bit disappointed to miss out on the win but second is really good for the championship and a nice way to go into the summer break.”

The Pata Yamaha rider now holds a 30-point advantage over Tom Sykes for third place in the World Superbike riders’ championship while the exact same gap splits him from Chaz Davies in second place in the standings.