Van der Mark broke his leg while training on a mountain bike in March, requiring him to undergo surgery just weeks before the start of the new campaign in Spain.
With little time left to complete a full recovery, the Dutch driver will sit out the Aragon round on April 8-10, vacating the bike for Ukrainian rider Mikhalchik.
Mikhalchik has already ridden the WSBK-spec M1000RR for a recent test in Barcelona and will get further running on the bike at the Dorna-supported test at Aragon on Monday and Tuesday prior to making his race debut at the same track.
“It has been a difficult decision but unfortunately I will not try to ride at Motorland Aragon,” said van der Mark.
“At this moment we have to be smart and stay calm because this is the only way forward in my recovery. I really miss working with the team and riding my BMW M1000RR but right now my goal is to be fit again as soon as possible.”
Ilya Mikhalchik, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
Photo by: BMW Motorsport
Mikhalchik…
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