Tarran Mackenzie will miss the upcoming Italian WorldSBK round, with MGM Ducati confirming that Loris Baz will step in as his replacement. Mackenzie has been sidelined since his crash during FP2 at Donington in July, which resulted in several injuries including fractures to his left tibia, fibula, collarbone, and shoulder blade.
Although Mackenzie traveled to the French Round in early September in hopes of competing, he was ultimately declared unfit and was not replaced at that event. For the Cremona Circuit race, Mackenzie will not attempt to gain fitness clearance, allowing MGM Ducati to secure a substitute rider.
Baz, a familiar face to the MGM team from when it operated as a BMW satellite outfit in 2022 and 2023, will take over for Mackenzie in round 10 of the 2026 season aboard the Ducati Panigale V4. The team’s statement welcomed Baz back and expressed hopes for Mackenzie’s speedy and full recovery, aiming to have him return for the final two rounds of the season.
Baz last competed full-time with MGM in WorldSBK in 2023 and has since been active in MotoAmerica and the King of the Baggers series. He also served as a stand-in for the GoEleven Ducati satellite team in 2021 at Portimao. Recently, Baz participated in the Bol d’Or for the ERC Endurance BMW team but was forced to retire due to mechanical issues with two hours left in the 24-hour race.
Fan Take:
This replacement highlights the resilience and community within WorldSBK, where experienced riders like Baz can step in to maintain competitive momentum. For fans, it’s an exciting development that keeps the season dynamic and underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsport, where comebacks and substitutions can significantly impact championship battles.
Source: www.crash.net
