Despite the unfamiliar layout of the track, diverse weather conditions, and a tyre selection tactical toss-up, Great Britain’s Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) and Tarran Mackenzie (MGM BONOVO Racing Team) both notched their best results in their MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship careers. The pair will now have the summer break to recharge their batteries until the final four rounds of the season, restarting in September.

STRONG RESULT, STRONG COMPETITION: “It’s nice to have the goal of running at the front, we know it’s possible, but we’re fighting against some of the best in the world”

Vickers' rookie season hasn’t only meant a change from British Superbikes to WorldSBK; he is putting all his weight behind their jump into the Championship, as he has moved from England to Northern Italy to be closer to his team and grow as a rider. Looking at his recent results over this middle section of the season, it’s safe to say that there are signs of growth. He was unfortunately ruled out of Race 1 due to a technical issue after his bike was damaged in the seven-rider pileup in the opening lap. He battled well in Race 2, running in the top eight before having to serve a long-lap penalty, during which he ran onto the gravel, before a final chicane wipeout on the final lap ended his race early. Vickers struck gold in the Tissot Superpole Race, however, finishing in P7 for his best result of his Rookie WorldSBK campaign, and an improvement from his previous benchmark of P11.

Vickers broke down his weekend and his unfortunate Race 2, he said: “I’m happy in some ways, it’s been a big step these past two weekends. At Donington, I came to a track I knew, but coming into Balaton, I didn’t know it at all, having not attended the track day here either. Considering that, we came in at a very high level straight away. We landed in the top 10 every session, except one. We managed our best WorldSBK result. It was an amazing last race, battling for P6, overtaking people, and battling with some great riders. Unfortunately, I got a long lap penalty. I was a bit annoyed because it’s hard to know how much time you’ve given back in the chicane, and unfortunately, I was given a long lap. Unfortunately, there’s a crazy bump at the entrance of the long lap, almost causing me to crash despite coming in at a relatively safe speed, and forcing me to go out onto the gravel. I came back onto the track and was doing some really good speeds. I was a bit angry and thought I could catch the guys in P12 in front of me, but then I unfortunately crashed at the end. Other than that, we have to be extremely proud, extremely happy. It’s nice to have the goal of running at the front; we know it's possible, but we’re fighting against some of the best in the world. Still, lots of areas to improve upon, but we’ll keep working in this way.”

PATIENCE PAYS OFF: It was tricky for the first few laps, but I knew a few riders were on intermediates, so I was patient, and they started to come back until I finished with my best position so far.

While Tarran Mackenzie, unlike Vickers, is no rookie, in some ways his Hungarian Round was a similar baptism by fire. Balaton was the first round back in the WorldSBK paddock after he and his former PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team mutually parted ways after Misano earlier this season. Mackenzie has taken Scott Redding's former seat at the Ducati independent team and will ride in blue and pink for the rest of the season. The team will likely be pleased with their decision after the third-year WorldSBK rider landed his best career result in the Championship as well as the highest total points haul of his career, finishing in the point-scoring positions in all three races.

Mackenzie explained how he pulled off his best result yet in the Superpole Race. He said: “I’m really happy, I had a lot thrown at me this weekend with a new track, a new bike and a new team, then also a mix of conditions, hot on Saturday, then wet on Sunday. The main goal for me this weekend was just to enjoy riding again and having a smile on my face. I felt like I did that on Friday. From there, we just kept progressing, staying calm, and I’m really happy to have ended the weekend like this. In the Superpole Race, prior to the Superpole Race, I came to the grid and just straight away said slicks, it dried out more and more after the delay for the Race 1000 photo. As the race progressed, it may have been a short one, but with 20 bikes competing, it dried up pretty quickly. It was tricky for the first few laps, but I knew a few riders were on intermediates, and as the race went on, they started to come back, so I was patient and ended up in a really good position; my best in WorldSBK so far. A great way to start my Sunday.”

Catch the British rider next time out at Magny-Cours! Watch live or on demand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 50% off!