Tarran Mackenzie passed fit for Snetterton British Superbike test
This weekend’s test will also mark the first of three official pre-season outings for both Tarran Mackenzie and 15-time British Superbike race winning team-mate Jason O’Halloran.
Mackenzie, who will make his WorldSBK debut in the form of three wildcard appearances this season, will be running the #1 plate for the first time in his BSB career.
With Mackenzie a clear favourite to make a full-time switch to world championship racing in 2023, his McAMS Yamaha team are already feeling the benefit of their ties to WorldSBK champions Pata Yamaha, as the full factory outfit is providing them with improved aerodynamics, engine and electronics upgrades, with the focus of improving the R1’s power delivery.
Speaking ahead of his return to action, Mackenzie said: "I’m really looking forward to getting back on the R1 this weekend.
"My goal when I got injured back in January was to be fit for the first test and we’ve achieved that.
"The recovery has been really good and my physio is pleased with where I’m at.
"I haven’t ridden a bike since the crash, so we’ll ease ourselves back into things - fortunately Snetterton is a track where we had a really good weekend last year so I can focus on getting myself back up to speed. It’ll be nice to be back with the team and I’m really excited to get started."
With regards to O’Halloran, the Australian will by all accounts want a repeat of the first eight rounds of 2021, but this time for the entirety of the campaign.
The runaway championship leader had as commanding a lead as we’ve seen for several years heading into the final nine races, before a disastrous showdown performance led him to eventually finishing third.
"Even though the off-season has been shorter than the last couple, it's felt quite long so I'm looking forward to swinging my leg back over the R1," added the former Honda rider.
"I've done some riding out in Spain on a stock bike over the last month so I can't wait to step back onto the superbike and get 2022 underway.
"We had a really strong year last year and it sounds like we've got even more to try with the bike.
"It looks like the weather is going to be nice so it'll be a great opportunity to kickstart our 2022 campaign."
