Michael van der Mark’s triumphant return to the winner’s circle at the 2024 French WorldSBK marked a significant moment in his career as he secured Magny-Cours Race 1 victory under challenging wet conditions.
The race was characterized by heavy rain that created a treacherous track for all riders with the slippery conditions leading to multiple incidents, including a crash involving Jonathan Rea and Nicolo Bulega on the very first lap.
However, BMW’s Van der Mark demonstrated exceptional control and composure throughout the race as he proceeded to win his first race since Portimao in 2021 when he won the Sprint Race in mixed conditions. His victory margin was an impressive 8.3 seconds, a testament to his dominance in the race.
The atmosphere was tense as the riders prepared for the race, with the weather forecast indicating rain. The starting grid saw Alex Lowes on pole position after a dominant qualifying performance, but the conditions would soon test the mettle of all riders.
The race began dramatically as Jonathan Rea and Nicolo Bulega crashed on the very first lap, both riders struggling to maintain control of their machines on the wet track. The incident set the tone for a race filled with challenges, as the rain continued falling, making the track increasingly hazardous.
Van der Mark, riding for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, started from fifth on the grid and quickly demonstrated his ability to navigate the tricky conditions. After the initial chaos, he found himself in a strong position, battling for the lead as other riders struggled with their tire choices.
The decision-making process regarding tire changes was crucial for all teams as track conditions fluctuated between wet and drying. While some riders opted for slick tires, others chose intermediates, leading to a variety of strategies that would ultimately affect their performance.
Van der Mark’s experience in wet conditions shone through as he executed a perfect strategy, timing his switch to full wet tires impeccably. He pitted on Lap 4, just as the rain intensified, allowing him to gain a significant advantage over his rivals.
As the race progressed, the lead changed hands multiple times. Garrett Gerloff initially took the lead after opting to stay out on intermediate tires, but his luck ran out when he crashed at Turn 7 on Lap 7 and handed the lead to Lowes and van der Mark, who were closely battling for position.
It wasn’t long before the race took another dramatic turn when Lowes, who was leading, crashed out with just 11 laps remaining.
His misfortune allowed van der Mark to take control of the race, a position he would not relinquish and steadily built a commanding lead, eventually crossing the finish line with an impressive margin of 8.3 seconds over Alvaro Bautista, who had started from 17th position.
Bautista’s performance was commendable, showcasing his resilience and skill as he navigated through the field to secure second place ahead of Danilo Petrucci who rounded out the podium in third, marking a significant achievement for the Italian, who has shown remarkable adaptability in wet conditions.
The race was not without its share of incidents, with only 12 of the 22 starters finishing. The treacherous conditions claimed several victims, including Scott Redding, who crashed while attempting to overtake Petrucci.
Redding managed to remount and finish in fourth place, but his crash underscored the challenges posed by the wet track. Other notable crashes included those of Andrea Iannone and Xavi Vierge, both of whom had to fight hard to recover from their respective incidents to finish fifth and seventh.
Vierge’s HRC teammate Iker Lecuona finished in sixth place as Andrea Locatelli marked the top Yamaha rider after the Italian finished in eighth place after crashing out of second early on in the race.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi finished in ninth place ahead of replacement rider Alessandro Delbianco who rounded out the top ten on the GYTR GRT Yamaha.
