IN
THE
WIND
P34
TEN KATE AND THE 2015 EFFECT
W
ith a flatter and more ac-
cessible technical land-
scape that is certain to help
the push of the CBR1000RR
in World Superbike in 2015—
and two new talented riders to
boot—the Pata Honda team has
already seen a change in its
overall expectation levels for the
new season, despite losing their
best rider of the past few years,
Jonathan Rea.
After a fourth-place finish in
race one at Phillip Island and
then leading the second race
for a time, rookie Michael van
der Mark came close to blowing
the roof off early season expec-
tations, even within the Pata
Honda team itself. Especially at
a circuit that has not been great
to them in the recent past.
We asked Pata Honda Team
Manager, Roland ten Kate about
that changed landscape for the
team that won the 2007 World
Championship with James Tose-
land and their compatriot and
protégé—van der Mark.
"I think it is basically because
Michael [van der Mark] has the
talent there," said Ten Kate. "He
gels really well with his crew and
his machine. Normally Phillip
Island is not the most favorite
track for the bike as we can see
from the historical results. So we
were a bit surprised by what he
put on show."
The new tech rules are also
hard at work already, in Ten
Kate's opinion.
"The rules have definitely
arranged a more level play-
ing field," he said. "In the past
certain bikes would have a
benefit of more than 20 kmh [12
mph] on some of the other bikes
down the straight, but that has
passed now. So, yes, the new
rules just make it all a lot closer.
We are in a lot better position
than in previous years because
the bike has become stronger
and the changes we have made
have worked out quite good as
well."
Ten Kate, with home grown
Dutch rider van der Mark and a
package that seems competitive
again, must feel that there are
noticeable differences inside his
team already?
"I can honestly say that we
have already worked as hard
Roland ten Kate
talks new rules
and their young
prospect Michael
van der Mark.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GOLD
&
GOOSE
