WSBK: Van der Mark to Leave Yamaha at the End of 2020

Yamaha have announced that they will part company with Michael van der Mark at the end of the 2020 World Superbikes Season.

Van der Mark has been part of the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team since 2017 and together they achieved three wins in the class. Furthermore, the 27-year-old took victory twice at the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour race aboard a Yamaha in 2017 and -18.

The collaborations’ first race win came in 2018 at Donington Park where van der Mark secured the double and finished the season strongly with his best championship placement of third. A year later, his third and, as it stands, last victory with Pata Yamaha followed in Jerez.

Despite the successful four-year partnership, the Dutchman is now searching a new challenge for 2021.

Van der Mark currently lies fifth in the 2020 WorldSBK standings after two fourth and one fifth place finish at the opening round in Phillip Island.

He and the team will be looking for a successful last season together as a statement by Yamaha reads:

“Both Yamaha and van der Mark head into the rescheduled 2020 season determined to end their successful four-year collaboration on a high note, by battling for race wins and, ultimately, challenging for the World Championship title.”

Yamaha Racing

It is yet unclear where van der Mark will go in 2021, but he has been strongly linked with a move to BMW.