Van der Mark wins world supersport title

Michael van der Mark (Honda) became the 2014 world supersport champion with victory at Jerez on Sunday, September 7, as his closest rival Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta) crashed out of the lead at the end of the penultimate lap. Completing the podium were Kawasaki teammates PJ Jacobsen and Florian Marino.

The win was van der Mark's fifth this season, giving him an unassailable 76-point lead in the series with two rounds remaining. He said: “I can't believe it right now! It's been a long journey to get here and since I started racing 10 years ago it's been my dream to be world champion. I can thank my family and especially my father who has done so much to help me. He isn't here – he has his own race today – so good luck to him!

“I also want to thank all my sponsors because maybe some of them you don't see on the bike but they have always supported me. Also my 80-year-old trainer who keeps me fit and strong! Last but not least, the team has done an amazing job. This year it gave me an incredible CBR to ride with an amazing set-up. Last year we struggled a lot but this year we have shown that if everything fits together we can be world champion.”

Australia's Matt Davies finished 20th on his return to the world supersport competition, riding a Honda for Australian team Aark Racing.

In world superbikes, Marco Melandri won both races – the 17th and 18th of his career -- from factory Aprilia teammate Sylvain Guintoli, with Chaz Davies (Ducati) and championship leader Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) sharing the third places.

Australia's Bryan Staring (Kawasaki) crashed in race one, and his machine couldn't be repaired in time for race two.

Sykes now leads Guintoli by 31pts (352 to 321) with two rounds remaining, ahead of Honda's Jonathan Rea (285), Melandri (267) and Kawasaki's Loris Baz (265). So in essence it's now down to a battle between Sykes and Guintoli.

FULL RESULTS AND STANDINGS