Van Der Mark ‘really pissed off’ after being let down by physical condition

Michael Van Der Mark ended his first WorldSBK season aboard the new BMW M 1000 RR with a third podium in Mandalika, despite being left frustrated by his physical condition. 

The Dutch rider was unwell before the weekend began, so much so that he was unable to eat for three straight days. 

Van Der Mark’s less than 100% physical condition lasted beyond the weekend, which makes his wet race two podium all the more impressive.

Van Der Mark got the better of new WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu after several intense laps where the two continued to overtake one-another. 

But despite his third podium aboard the new M 1000 RR, Van Der Mark was ‘pissed off’ after having ‘no power’ in Sunday’s dry race one. 

"Yeah it’s a good recovery. Honestly I’m still quite sick, not sick but I just can’t really eat. In race one I just had nothing more," said Van Der Mark. 

"I was really pissed off because I thought I could stay ahead of Locatelli, battle with Bassani, but I just had no power left. 

"I haven’t been eating for the last three days. That’s been quite a big struggle but anyway, P6 in race one wasn’t too bad and then luckily at the end of the day we got a wet race; and this track in the wet with slicks this morning already had so much grip, it’s incredible." 

On his way to P3 in the final race of 2021, Van Der Mark had contact with Axel Bassani which caused the Italian to crash out. 

Neither rider wanted to give way on the exit of turn 16 (final corner), while both men were also trying to avoid the slippery curbs, which resulted in Van Der Mark clipping the Italian’s bike. The incident was quickly checked over by the stewards, however, no penalties were handed out.

Speaking about the incident, Van Der Mark seemed to suggest he was slightly more at fault, ‘as my bike ran wide’ and therefore into Bassani, although a racing incident was perhaps the best decision. 

"Yeah, to be honest I got out of the corner and we were battling and you know, in the wet condition you’re always trying to find grip," added Van Der Mark.  

"We were both struggling to find it so I ran a bit wide and he touched me in order to not go onto the curbs, the white lines, because they have no grip. 

"Also my bike ran wide and it’s a shame because that’s not how it should end. I’m really sorry for him. 

"The last thing you want to do is take someone out. But yeah, I think it’s just a combination of what happened."