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The #honda #worldsbk Team has contested the third-round opening race of the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship at MotorLand #aragn. Nicky Hayden had a solid race to sixth place, while Michael van der Mark experienced his first DNF of the year.
The two riders did not enjoy their best qualifying of the year so far. After starting directly from the second session, Michael van der Mark was on his way to a quick lap, before losing the front of his bike on the kerb outside of turn 7. The young Dutchman and his bike slid on the asphalt, with van der Mark having to quickly get back on his feet and run off the track to avoid any major accident with oncoming riders. The first one to come past was his team mate, who brilliantly moved out of the way and slowed down, eventually losing the chance to improve his position.
After a great launch from tenth place on the grid, Nicky Hayden rode a solid race around the top 5, battling with Ducati’s Davide Giugliano and Xavi Fores for fourth place and showing good pace aboard his #honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. In the final stages of the race, as the grip started to reduce, Nicky Hayden had to back off, eventually crossing the line sixth.
Michael van der Mark had a great start to the race from row 4 and was running in sixth position in the early stages of the encounter, before a crash at turn 5 on the fourth lap ruled him out of contention. The 23-year-old Dutchman was unable to remount and therefore had to retire.
The team will now analyse the data gathered today in order to be ready for the second and final race of the third round, scheduled for tomorrow at 13:00 local time (GMT+2).
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