Loris Baz Will Replace Tarran Mackenzie at Cremona
Loris Baz is set to pilot the MGM Ducati bike for round 10 of the WorldSBK season this September.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Motorsports
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Loris Baz will compete for MGM Optical Express Racing at the upcoming Cremona Circuit round on September 26, 2026. He steps in for Tarran Mackenzie, who remains sidelined following a severe crash at Donington Park.
Why it matters
Tarran Mackenzie is continuing his recovery from multiple fractures sustained to his collarbone, shoulder blade, tibia, and fibula. The team has selected Baz to maintain their competitiveness for the remainder of the season while Mackenzie undergoes rehabilitation.
Loris Baz secured two podium finishes during a 2021 stint with Team GoEleven and finished second in the 2025 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers championship. Mackenzie was previously sidelined for rounds at Donington Park and Magny-Cours.
The players
Loris Baz
He is an experienced professional motorcycle racer who previously competed for Michael Galinski's squad.
Tarran Mackenzie
He is a professional rider currently recovering from multiple significant orthopedic injuries.
MGM Optical Express Racing
This is a professional racing team that competes in international motorcycle racing championships.
The details
The MGM Optical Express Racing team drafted Baz to ride the Ducati Panigale V4 at the Cremona Circuit after a medical assessment deemed Mackenzie unfit to race. Mackenzie previously underwent surgery on his tibia and fibula fractures following his incident at Donington Park.
Timeline
• In 2021, Baz rode for Team GoEleven in WorldSBK.
• From 2022 to 2023, Baz raced for Michael Galinski's squad on BMWs.
• In 2025, Baz finished second in King of the Baggers.
• In 2026, Baz won a race in MotoAmerica.
• In September 2026, Baz replaces Mackenzie at Cremona Circuit.
Season Trajectory
This roster shift marks a strategic pivot for MGM Ducati as they aim to maximize their points standing heading into the final stages of the WorldSBK calendar. With Mackenzie expected to return for the season's final two rounds, the team is balancing immediate performance with long-term recovery.
Fans tracking team performance will see the Ducati Panigale V4 transition to Baz for round 10, impacting the entry list for the Cremona event. The shift aims to keep the team in the hunt for points while managing the absence of the 95-numbered bike.
The takeaway
Rider injury management remains a critical variable in professional motorcycle racing team strategy. Teams must rely on veteran substitutes like Baz to maintain competitive stability when their primary riders are sidelined.
What happens next
The team plans to have Tarran Mackenzie return for the final two rounds of the 2026 WorldSBK season.
Further reading
For more updates on professional racing rosters, visit the /sports/motorsports/ section.
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