Now, here is a proper chance for a seasoned campaigner. Loris Baz is locked in to see out the remainder of the 2026 campaign with MGM Racing Ducati, stepping in once again for the recovering Tarran Mackenzie.
That #95 machine has been sidelined since Mackenzie suffered a brutal crash at the final corner during practice at Donington Park. The Scot collected a heavy list of injuries in the accident, including a broken left collarbone and tibia that demanded surgery, alongside damage to his fibula and scapula that did not require the knife. An attempted comeback at Magny-Cours was halted during pre-event medical checks, paving the way for Baz to take over the Panigale V4R starting at Cremona.
Stepping back into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship after a three-year absence, Baz faced an uphill battle at Cremona having never seen the Italian circuit before. He managed 21st out of 22 riders in Tissot Superpole, but the race craft was still there. He fought forward to finish 15th in both Race 1—good for championship points—and the Tissot Superpole Race, before improving to 14th in Race 2.
That steady return to form has earned the two-time WorldSBK winner the seat for the final double-header rounds at the Tissot Estoril and Pirelli Spanish Rounds. Unlike Cremona, these are circuits he knows well. At Estoril, his previous best finish is ninth, achieved in 2020. At Jerez, also back in 2020, he secured a fourth-place finish.
A statement from the team confirmed the ongoing lineup: “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!”
