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Stirling superbike ace Taylor Mackenzie is targeting victories, after securing a ride for the new season.
The 28-year-old has rejoined Bathams BMW in the fiercely competitive National Superstock 1000 series – a championship he won in 2016 and finished runner-up in with Bathams in 2019.
And after recovering from a leg break that ruined his 2020 season Taylor, who used his YouTube channel to help fund his ride, said: “After last season, I wasn’t sure if I’d get a ride for this year, so to be back at Bathams Racing where I know I will be able to fight for victories is fantastic.
“I got my leg injury sorted during the winter, and I know that with the help of Dan Linfoot (who Taylor replaces at the team), the guys at Bathams Racing got the BMW S1000RR flying by the end of last season.
“I know it sounds obvious, but I really can’t wait to get back on the bike and start enjoying my racing again. Testing can’t come quick enough.”
Team boss Michael Rutter added:“Having Taylor back in the team is a real coup for us.
“It’s safe to say that 2020 didn’t work out how we hoped for lots of reasons, but I must say straight away that it’s all down to our sponsors for sticking with us that we’re able to not only go racing in 2021, but to do so with such a strong rider lineup, and support from BMW.
“In particular our title sponsor Bathams Ales. Pubs have been closed for the best part of a year so they deserve a special mention.
“It is true that the cancellation of the TT and North West 200 last year and this year has saved us a lot of money, but it is also true that 2020 wasn’t a great time to be a brewery. Their passion for the sport is remarkable.”
Taylor will ride alongside the man who pipped him the 2019 Superstock title, Richard Cooper, with Scott Grimsdall of BMW Motorrad UK, delighted with the strength of the lineup.
He added:“Bathams Racing is an ambitious team and we’re very pleased to support them again in
Stirling Albion’s league season looks set to resume next Saturday.
Their opening fixture is scheduled to be against Brechin City at Forthbank – the game which was to be played on January 16.
Following First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that Scottish Leagues One and Two could resume, talks have been ongoing between the SPFL and the 20 clubs in the bottom two divisions.
A statement from the League One and Two clubs last week after the FM’s announcement said a 27-game season was no longer an option and the consensus was a 22-league season with a split in each league after 18 games, followed by four further games.
It is now believed after meetings between the National
Superstock
Championship.
“Both Taylor and
Richard have great pedigree in this class, and together they represent one of the strongest rider line-ups on the grid. We’re looking forward to the 2021 season starting and seeing the team challenge for victories on board the new M1000RR.” the clubs and the SPFL Board, an agreement has been reached on the leagues’ resumption next Saturady – unless Covid restrictions change again.
It is also understood that the league fixtures will resume from where they left off and Albion will meet Berchin City at Forthbank. They have nine matches to play to reach the 18-game mark including the abandoned game at Stenhousemuir on January 2 which will have to be fitted in.
The Scottish Cup will also restart on Tuesday, March 23 with Stirling facing Championship side Raith Rovers at Forthbank in a second-round tie. The winners will travel to Premiership outfit Livingston in the third round on Saturday,
April 3.
Currently the Binos sit fourth but on the same 18-points total as Elgin and Stranraer and five points behind leaders Queen’s Park. This week Stirling Albion’s players returned to training after testing and club chairman Stuart Brown said they are desperate to get back playing.
“Our preference was an 18-game season and 22 games was second choice,” said Brown. “Twenty-seven games would have been almost impossible.
“The boys are just raring to go now. They’ve gone through testing and after getting the all clear they were back training this week.”
It’s been a year since Stirling Albion last played in front of supporters at Forthbank.
On Tuesday, March 10, 2020 a crowd of 423 turned up for the visit of League Two leaders Cove Rangers and it turned into a night to forget for the Binos.
The game had been in doubt due to the wet weather but it passed a pitch inspection and went ahead on a heavy surface and Albion were probably wishing it hadn’t after Cove stormed to a 7-1 win.
It was Albion’s biggest home defeat since they moved to Forthbank in April 1993 and left them sixth in the table, five points outside the play-offs.
l Numbers drawn on March 10 in the Stirling Albion Supporters Trust lottery were 3, 20, 23 and 30.
There were no jackpot winners and the jackpot rises on Wednesday, March 17 to £2450.