Loris Baz is back on the WorldSBK grid. The 33-year-old Frenchman will substitute for the still-injured Tarran Mackenzie at MGM Optical Express Racing for this weekend's Italian Round at Cremona. The team confirmed the news on Tuesday, marking Baz's return to the world championship he last contested full-time in 2023.
Mackenzie has been absent since a heavy crash at Donington Park in July. The British rider suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his left shin and calf, as well as damage to his collarbone and shoulder blade. He underwent surgery on his lower leg fractures. Initially, he hoped to make his comeback at Magny-Cours after the summer break, but he was declared unfit during a medical check before the event. The team then decided not to field a replacement in France.
As Mackenzie's recovery continues, MGM Optical Express Racing has called upon Loris Baz for Cremona. For the Frenchman, it's a return to a familiar outfit. Baz raced for Michael Galinski's team in 2022 and 2023, then with BMW machinery. He is also no stranger to the Ducati Panigale V4 R. In 2021, he substituted at Team GoEleven and scored two podiums during his brief WorldSBK comeback.
Baz, a two-time WorldSBK race winner, moved to the United States after his last full season in the world championship. In 2025, he finished second in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers championship. This season, he returned to the MotoAmerica Superbike class, where he won a race at Virginia International Raceway in August on the Ducati Panigale V4 R. That performance shows Baz still possesses the speed and quick adaptation to the Ducati.
MGM Optical Express Racing hopes Baz's appearance is limited to just one weekend and that Mackenzie can return to the Ducati for the final two WorldSBK rounds of the season, at Estoril and Jerez. The German team stated, "An old friend of MGM Racing and a familiar WorldSBK rider returns to action this weekend in Cremona. Loris Baz replaces Tarran Mackenzie during the tenth round of the 2026 season on the MGM Optical Racing Team's Ducati Panigale V4 R. Welcome back, Loris!"
The Italian WorldSBK round will take place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 27 September at Cremona. Baz faces a tough challenge as he must quickly adapt to a new bike and team, while rivals like Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu already have strong chemistry with their respective teams. However, Baz's experience in WorldSBK and on Ducati could be valuable to deliver maximum results for a team fighting in the standings.
Baz's return is also in the spotlight as he will compete against young riders on the rise. Nevertheless, Baz is known as a tenacious rider capable of surprises. MGM Optical Express Racing hopes Baz can help them score important points at Cremona while waiting for Mackenzie's return. Meanwhile, WorldSBK fans are certainly eager to see Baz back in action on European soil.
Baca Juga
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