On 7th October 2012, Michael van der Mark won that year's Superstock 600 UEM European championship in only his second season on the Ten Kate Honda Junior Team’s Honda CBR600RR.

It was an especially impressive and outstandingly mature performance from the then 19-year-old from Gouda near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Needing only to finish ahead of his nearest rival, van der Mark rode an incredibly mature race for one so young in a ‘winner-takes-all’ final race at Magny-Cours in France in the face of some less-than-subtle intimidation

Just seven years earlier, the Dutch flyer’s entry into motorcycle racing had been relatively late at the age of 12. Having been entered into the Dutch Junior Cup on an Aprilia RS125, he was taken to quiet industrial estate by his father, Henk, to try out the bike. This was just a week before his first race, and he had never ridden a motorcycle before. As he reached the end of his first straight-line run, shifting gears for the first time and with Henk following in the family car, the diminutive van der Mark discovered he was too small to reach the ground to turn round and gently toppled over with his bike.

His racing debut was, appropriately enough, at the iconic Assen circuit in the Netherlands and he learned fast – a trait that has become apparent more recently – and he finished that 2005 season in fourth place in the championship. He went two places better the following year before joining the Dutch Open championship on a Honda RS125 in 2007. He finished as runner-up in the series and was proclaimed Rookie of the Year.

Van der Mark’s first championship title came the following season, winning the Dutch Open championship while gaining invaluable international experience by racing in select races in 125cc championships in Germany and Spain, and competing in the 125cc GP race at the famous Dutch TT in Assen, finishing in 26th place. Further success in Holland the following season led to back-to-back Dutch titles, fifth place in the IDM series in Germany and an improved 18th at his home GP. A full-time ride in 125cc Grands Prix beckoned for 2010.

However, poor funding led to van der Mark’s team pulling out of GPs before the end of the season and a hurried conversation with Holland’s famous Ten Kate Racing organization gave young Michael a ride with its Junior team in the European Superstock 600 championship.

Van der Mark finished in seventh place in his series debut at Magny-Cours in France, securing a full-time ride for the following season when he was third overall, with four wins from the 10 races, finishing just 11 points behind the championship winner. That season also saw him ride as a wildcard in the Moto2 GP at Assen.

The following year, he went to the top again, securing that hard-fought 2012 European Superstock 600 championship victory and earning himself a promotion to the World Supersport championship on a Pata Honda CBR600RR for the following year. He was on the podium in his first race at Phillip Island in Australia and, with two further visits to the rostrum in 2013, in spite of a broken foot sustained mid-season that affected results in at least three rounds, he ended his debut world championship year in fourth place. Along the way, van der Mark also became the first Dutch rider to win the prestigious Suzuka 8-hours race in Japan on the MuSashi Harc-Pro Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade with team-mates Leon Haslam (also a Pata Honda colleague) and Japanese ace Takumi Takahashi.

Now in his sophomore season in the series, Michael van der Mark is the 2014 FIM World Supersport champion with five victories and three further podiums to date this year and two rounds still remaining. It almost goes without saying that this year has marked a significant step forward for the 21-year-old, who came into the 2014 season with a renewed focus and a full-time dedication to his chosen profession and his ambition to become world champion.

Having obtained his HGV truck-driving licence at the age of 18, van der Mark went into the family business in order to earn a living and worked for his father – an accomplished endurance racer in his own right who is currently contesting the European Classic series on a 1980 Suzuki GSX-R1100 – who runs a transport company in Rotterdam.

However, even last year as a rookie World Supersport rider, van der Mark was still going back to driving trucks between races, leaving less time for personal training.

He has been able to dedicate much more of his time to fitness and conditioning this season, spending a lot of time with his personal trainer, an 80-year-old former boxing coach who, according to his young charge, can still deliver a devastating right hook! The commitment has paid off, however, with a leaner, fitter and stronger van der Mark, and one much better-equipped to handle the physical demands of a professional motorcycle racer.

Even during an extended two-month summer break from this year’s championship, van der Mark was not idle, continuing to train hard and winning his second Suzuka 8-hours race with the same team as in 2013, impressing many in Japan with his improved endurance abilities, as well as his outright speed. But the hard work has been rewarded closer to home as well, his sheer domination of this season’s World Supersport title race is such that he has finished no lower than second during the 2014 campaign to date – the only blip being a DNF in a foreshortened five-lap ‘sprint’ race in the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia.

 

‘Magic Mikey’ is the only third solo motorcycling world champion to come out of the Netherlands and the first in 40 years – the other two being Jan der Vries and Henk van Kessel, who shared three 50cc world titles between them from 1971 to 1974. Van der Mark has surely already secured his own place in Holland’s motorcycling Hall of Fame by winning the 2014 World Supersport title at just 21 years and 316 days, second in age only to Ten Kate Honda’s 2003 championship winner, Chris Vermeulen.

As we head towards the conclusion of the 2014 racing season, there is no doubt that he is hot property in the motorcycle world championship paddock, but one other thing is also certain: that further success at the very top level of the sport awaits Holland’s and Honda’s ‘Magic' Michael van der Mark.

Michael van der Mark

 

Date of birth                                                26 October 1992

Place of birth                                              Gouda, Netherlands

Home town                                                  Rotterdam, Netherlands

Race number                                               60

Race machine                                             Pata Honda CBR600RR

First race                                                     2005 – Assen, Netherlands, Dutch Jr. Cup

World Supersport debut                            2012 – Moscow, Russia (wildcard)

World Supersport races                            20

First World Supersport podium                2013 – Phillip Island, Australia

Total World Supersport podiums             11

First World Supersport win                       2014 – Assen, the Netherlands

Total World Supersport wins                     5

 

Career Highlights

 

2005                4th, Dutch Junior Cup – Aprilia

2006                2nd, Dutch Junior Cup – Aprilia

2007                2nd, ONK Dutch 125cc championship – Honda

2008                ONK Dutch 125cc champion – Honda

                        3rd, IDM 125cc championship – Honda

                        Selected CEV Spanish championship – Honda

                        26th, Dutch 125cc GP – Honda

2009                ONK Dutch 125cc champion – Honda

                        Selected CEV Spanish championship – Honda

                        18th, Dutch 125cc GP – Honda

2010                125cc Grands Prix – Lambretta

                        7th, Dutch 125cc GP

                        Debut, European Superstock 600 championship - Honda

2011                3rd, European STK 600 championship – Honda

                        Wildcard – Moto2 GP, Assen

2012                European Superstock 600 champion – Honda

2013                4th, World Supersport championship – Honda

                        Winner, Suzuka 8-hours – Honda

2014                Winner, Suzuka 8-hours – Honda

                        WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPION – Pata Honda CBR600RR

Pata Honda rider Jonathan Rea took his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP to fourth and fifth place finishes in today’s two 10th-round World Superbike championship races at Jerez in Spain, retaining his third place in the series with just two rounds to go.

The two races were won by Italian Marco Melandri, with French rider Sylvain Guintoli taking two second places and series leader Tom Sykes scoring a third in race two but seeing his championship lead reduced.

Rea’s Pata Honda team-mate Leon Haslam finished seventh and eighth in the two 20-lap outings which were run in cooler, more overcast conditions than the earlier practice and qualifying sessions at the 4.423km Jerez circuit.

Following the cancellation of the Moscow round, the World Superbike championship will reconvene in one month’s time for round 11 at the French circuit of Magny-Cours.

APRILIA DOMINATES AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

IN THE TENTH ROUND OF THE WORLD SBK CHAMPIONSHIP IT'S A DOUBLE ONE-TWO FOR THE ITALIAN BIKES ON THE SPANISH TRACK.

Jerez de la Frontera, 7 September 2014 – Aprilia had no rivals at Jerez in the tenth round of the World SBK Championship. The RSV4s from Noale proved their superiority taking first and second place in both Race 1 and Race 2.

It was Melandri who earned both wins with authority and employing a similar strategy. In both Race 1 and Race 2 Marco found himself behind in the initial phases, sixth in the first race and fifth in the second. In both cases he skilfully and steadfastly came back, demonstrating undisputed superiority and an optimum feeling with his RSV4. This takes Melandri to five wins this season.

In both races Sylvain Guintoli took the lead early, trying to pull away from his rivals. Once overtaken by Melandri Guintoli confidently managed his position, finishing in second place twice to earn 13 championship points and close the gap behind championship leader, Sykes, whose advantage has now been reduced to just 31 points over Aprilia Racing's Frenchman.

The double win at Jerez also has an impact on the Manufacturers Championship: with the 50 points earned in Spain, Aprilia makes up 23 on Kawasaki which now places them just one point from the top spot in the championship standings.

Marco Melandri: “After the crash in Race 2 at Laguna Seca I was very disappointed because we could have taken a double win there. This weekend my team and I started off well straight away, changing very little on the bike and my RSV4 performed very well today. The second race was a bit more difficult because with the higher temperatures the track has less grip. I tried to be consistent even though I wasn't really fast at the beginning of the race, but I managed to maintain my pace steadily, making up places over my rivals. This was a great Sunday for me. Now I can relax for a few days before getting back on the track.”

Sylvain Guintoli: “Our goal here was to make up points on Tom and that's what we did. Last year I didn't do too well here so I wasn't expecting to be able to battle for the win in both races. I gave it my all, working hard to solve the problems we had during practice and pushing to the limit today. The next round is at Magny Cours, a track that I like and where I know I can count on support from our French fans to keep fighting for the Championship. With 100 points left on the table anything can still happen.”

From 12th to 14th September

• TEST RIDES ON THE 2014 MOTO GUZZI RANGE: CALIFORNIA 1400, V7, STELVIO AND GRISO
• FREE ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM AND GUIDED TOURS OF THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE PRODUCTION LINES
• THE MOST EXTREME AND SPECTACULAR MOTO GUZZI SPECIALS ON DISPLAY

Mandello del Lario, 5 September 2014 – At Mandello final preparations are feverishly underway in anticipation of the peaceful invasion by Moto Guzzi fans who traditionally descend upon the Larian town in the second weekend of September.

Friday 12 September, at 3:00 PM, the famed red gate with the golden eagle at Via Parodi 57 will open to welcome enthusiasts who want to discover or relive the experience of visiting a unique factory. An appointment with history to appreciate the industrial architecture, the ingeniousness of the Wind tunnel and more than 150 motorcycles on display, from the original GP (Guzzi-Parodi) to the MGS01, as well as the first Normale manufactured in 1921 which was returned to the Museum this year in all its antique splendour after an extensive restoration.

Moving on from the historically significant bikes to modern ones, this year visitors will once again have the chance to test the major models in the 2014 range for free, from the luxurious California 1400 to the refined V7 in all of the various versions, taking a ride which will lead to the entrance of Lecco and Varenna. To do this, fans will need to sign up directly inside the plant at the “Test Ride” area.

A feature of the 2014 Moto Guzzi Open House edition which is sure to be popular is the Custom Area, where fans will be able to admire not only the major models in the 2014 range, but also the most prestigious “Specials” built on small and big block bases by the most famous "custom made shops" in the sector: RossoPuro, South Garage, Millepercento and the German Radical Guzzi bikes.

The bookshop will contain plenty of new articles with a sneak peek of the 2015 fashion and accessories collection as well as the chance to purchase the previous collections at outlet prices.

In the spirit of the hospitality and warm welcome that makes Mandello a place any biker loves, this year visitors will be able to camp for free again in the Lido area under a starry sky (at least that's what everyone is hoping for!) and with one of the most beautiful views of the Lario.

Here is the schedule of events:

12-14 September 2014

Friday the 12th:    3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Factory opens (shop, museum)
•  Saturday the 13th/Sunday the 14th:  9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (doors close at 5:30 PM)
• Factory opens (shop, museum, wind tunnel, engine assembly, motorcycle assembly line)
• Moto Guzzi range test rides
• Custom Area opens

THE LOCATIONS OF THE MOTO GUZZI LEGEND AND PASSION

TEST RIDE
This is an opportunity not to be missed by any motorcycle enthusiast: the opportunity to test the motorcycles in the Moto Guzzi range, right here in the place where every Moto Guzzi is born, on the magnificent roads that run along Lake Como. Test riding will be held on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM with registration opening at 9:30 AM. Also included in the bikes being tested is the magnificent California 1400, powered by the most powerful V twin ever manufactured in Europe. For those who sign up for test rides a comfortable area outfitted in true Moto Guzzi spirit will be available, where they can wait their turn to ride and then compare notes on the models they have tested when they return.

THE MUSEUM
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday 12 September and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September, the Moto Guzzi Historical Museum will be open to the public. This space contains more than 150 models that have made the history of the Mandello Eagle, an extraordinary path going back to the roots of the Moto Guzzi legend. Factory bikes, racing bikes, prototypes and engines are accompanied by an exceptional collection of never before seen photographs and documents which narrate the deeds of one of the most noble brands in global motorcycling, capable of producing models which became legends.

ENGINE ASSEMBLY LINE
This is the area of the plant where the legendary twin cylinder engines, the emblem of Moto Guzzi, are assembled by hand, one by one. Here a unique engine was born and made history, an engine that marked the history of Moto Guzzi and global motorcycling and which, in its subsequent evolutions, came to represent the largest V-twin engine ever made in Europe in the 1400 version that equips the brand new California.

MOTORCYCLE ASSEMBLY LINES
Here the Moto Guzzi bikes take shape. Here the finished twin cylinder meets the motorcycle that will accompany it for the rest of its life. On the line visitors will be able to follow, step by step, operation by operation, the birth of that jewel of technology and Italian end product that each Moto Guzzi has represented for more than 90 years.

WIND TUNNEL
First commissioned in the Mandello del Lario plant in 1950, this was the first example of a wind tunnel for aerodynamic motorcycle testing. A singularly fascinating place, today it is the testament to a technological first and a glorious history that only Moto Guzzi possesses.

CUSTOM AREA
This is the area where visitors will find the test ride accreditation desk and the area reserved for the pre-ride briefing and post-ride debriefing, meeting the Mandello-based manufacturer engineers and admiring the specials built based on Moto Guzzi models.

www.piaggiogroup.com

Motorcycle Live arrives at The NEC, Birmingham on 22nd November 2014 for a nine-day biking spectacular. In addition to four halls crammed with all the latest models, parts and apparel, visitors can experience a variety of amazing live shows. No matter which way you turn at Motorcycle Live, there’s something incredible to watch, all for FREE.

The Crank’d live action stunt show returns for a second year and promises to be even bigger and better with its mind-blowing blend of petrol and pedal-powered two-wheeled talent. Some of the UK’s top stars from motorcycle trials, Mini Bike FMX and BMX will come together in the battle of the cranks over a specially-constructed indoor playground of dirt ramps, jump boxes, high jumps and flatbed sections. Crank’d is FREE to watch and takes place three times a day Monday to Friday and four times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.         

Also returning for a second year is the Behind Bars cinema experience, with a brand-new behind-the-scenes documentary film charting the highs and lows of life as a motorcycle racer. This incredibly insightful film follows some of the UK’s top names in racing through the 2014 season and will leave you in utter awe of their endeavours. Behind Bars is FREE to watch with showings four times a day Monday to Thursday and five times a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.        

 

Last but definitely not least, the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone will be home to its regular hosts, the ever-popular Steve Parrish and James Whitham. The lunchtime Fast Bikes Question of Bikes quiz and the four-times daily ‘Inside Tracks’ with James Whitham will feature a whole host of guest riders from British and World Superbikes, MotoGP, Speedway and road racing. Favourite games such as Dunlop Man of Steel, the British Eurosport Memory Game and Oxford Products Dress/Undress will all feature with some great prizes up for grabs.        

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November 2014. Advance tickets are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

 

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk