2014 Jerez Supersport Results | van der Mark Clinches Title

2014 Jerez Supersport Results

There was no doubting Pata Honda pilot Michael van der Mark’s mission in 2014 World Supersport – earn the title.

And this is just what the 21-year-old Dutch pilot did Sunday in Jerez, Spain. He won round nine (not 10 like World SBK Series due to an absence at Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway) in dominate style, allowing him to clinch the title with two rounds remaining.

This was van der Mark’s fifth win of 2014 World Supersport, allowing him to earn a 76-point lead over the next closest rider – Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres’ Florian Marino.

But it wasn’t a runaway victory at Jerez. Van der Mark began from pole position, but ran wide on turn one. From there, he battled intensely with the only two riders that were rivals for the title – Marino and MV Agusta RC’s Jules Cluzel.

To keep the World Supersport title hope alive, Cluzel had to finish ahead of van der Mark. The French rider rode hard to stay ahead of the Pata Honda CBR600RR, and remained out front until two laps to go.

This is when van der Mark took the lead. Cluzel pushed and pushed, but crashed out on the final corner of the penultimate lap, allowing van der Mark to take the win and clinch the title. Rounding out the podium were Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpress pilot Patrick Jacobson and Marino.

Beside’s van der Mark’s win, it was also the 10th world championship for the Ten Kate Honda Racing partnership and the 10th World Supersport manufacturers’ title for Honda with its various incarnations of the remarkable CBR600RR machine.

Speaking of his win,  van der Mark says “I can’t believe it right now! It’s been a long journey to get here and since I started racing 10 years ago it’s been my dream to be world champion. I can thank my family and especially my father who has done so much to help me.

“He isn’t here – he has his own race today – so good luck to him! I also want to thank all my sponsors because maybe some of them you don’t see on the bike but they have always supported me. Also my 80-year-old trainer who keeps me fit and strong! Last but not least, the team has done an amazing job.

“This year they gave me an incredible CBR to ride with an amazing set-up. Last year we struggled a lot but this year we have shown that if everything fits together we can be world champion.”

Finishing fourth was CIA Insurance Honda’s Jack Kennedy, who was followed by three-time World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (MAHI Racing Team India Kawasaki.

Rounding out the top 10 were Pata Honda’s Lorenzo Zanetti, Team GO Eleven Kawasaki’s Roberto Rolfo, Core PTR Honda’s Rattapark Wilairot – who will compete in Moto2 next year for Caterham Moto Racing – San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki’s Alessandro Nocco, and Nocco’s teammate Roberto Tamburini.

The 2014 World Supersport series now breaks for a month before heading to Magny Cours in France October 3-5.

2014 Jerez World Supersport Results:

2014 World Supersport Point Standings: