Image: Russell Colvin.

Yamaha and Michael van der Mark will part ways at the end of the 2020 Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) season.

The 27-year-old Dutch rider has opted to take on a new challenge next year, heavily linked to the factory BMW Motorrad team.

Van der Mark’s departure brings to a close a four-year partnership that has so far brought three WorldSBK race wins and two victories at the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour race.

The Pata Yamaha rider was a contender for the win in all three races at the opening round of the 2020 season in Australia, but was unfortunate to miss out on the chance to add to his podium tally.

Since the Phillip Island round, racing has been suspended due the coronavirus pandemic, but Van der Mark will return to action next month, with the WorldSBK season set to resume with back-to-back races in Jerez and Portimao.

Both Yamaha and Van der Mark head into the rescheduled 2020 season determined to end their collaboration on a high note, by battling for race wins and, ultimately, challenging for the world championship title.