LORIS BAZ TO REPLACE TARRAN MACKENZIE AT CREMONA AFTER INJURY RULES OUT DUCATI RETURN

MGM Optical Racing Team has confirmed that Tarran Mackenzie will not take part in the Italian round of the WorldSBK season at Cremona, with Loris Baz stepping in for the ride on the team’s Ducati Panigale V4.

Mackenzie’s absence is linked to injuries sustained at Donington Park in July. He crashed during FP2 and was left with multiple fractures, including to his left tibia and fibula, as well as his collarbone and shoulder blade. The British rider also missed the French round earlier in September after arriving with the intention of riding, but being declared unfit.

In a statement, the MGM team said it would not push Mackenzie to return at Cremona, giving the squad time to organise a replacement. The team’s message read: “While Tarran [Mackenzie] is still recovering from the injury he sustained at Donington Park and already had to sit out Magny-Cours, an old friend of MGM Racing and well-known WorldSBK rider returns to action this weekend at Cremona.”

It then confirmed the change for round 10: “Loris Baz will replace Tarran Mackenzie for round 10 of the 2026 season aboard the MGM Optical Racing Team’s Ducati Panigale V4. Welcome back, Loris!”

The team also added: “Meanwhile we’re wishing Tarran a speedy and full recovery and are looking forward to hopefully having him back with us for the final two rounds of the WorldSBK season.”

Baz’s return brings a rider with prior experience in the MGM setup. He last raced in WorldSBK in 2023 as a full-time MGM rider, having previously competed with the team when it operated as a BMW satellite outfit in 2022 and 2023. Since then, he has raced in MotoAmerica and the King of the Baggers series.

The Frenchman has also previously filled in for a Ducati WorldSBK satellite effort. The team noted that he stood in for GoEleven Ducati in Portimao in 2021.

Most recently, Baz competed in the Bol d’Or for the ERC Endurance BMW squad, but retired with two hours remaining due to bike problems.