Loris Baz will continue to stand in for Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) for the final two rounds of the 2026 campaign as the #95 continues to recover from the injuries he sustained at Donington Park. Baz replaced ‘Taz’ at Cremona and scored points in his first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round in three years, and he will continue on the Panigale V4R across the Tissot Estoril and Pirelli Spanish Rounds.
Mackenzie suffered multiple injuries in a big crash at the final corner in practice at Donington Park, including to his left collarbone and tibia, which required surgery, and to his fibula and scapula which did not require him to go under the knife. The Scot attempted a comeback at Magny-Cours but was ruled out in a pre-event medical check, and, at Cremona, he was replaced by Baz.
Baz was 21st out of 22 riders in Tissot Superpole at Cremona as he competed at the Italian track for the first time. He climbed up the order in both Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race to finish 15th, scoring points in the former, before going one better in Race 2 and finishing in 14th. Two-time WorldSBK winner Baz will now see out the campaign with MGM Optical Express Racing at Estoril and Jerez, two tracks he already knows. He has a best of ninth at Estoril, in 2020, and a best of fourth at Jerez; also from 2020.
A statement from the team said: “Following further checks that revealed Tarran Mackenzie is not primed for a return to action this weekend, he’ll have to sit out the season finale double header. Loris Baz will take over his Ducati Panigale V4 R in Estoril and Jerez. We keep wishing Tarran a speedy and full recovery!”
Follow the final two rounds of 2026 using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!