Injured biker Taz bounces back with podium finish
Stirling’s Tarran Mackenzie battled through the pain barrier to keep his British Superbike Championship challenge on track.
A terrifying highside on the penultimate lap of the weekend’s first race saw Tarran and McAms Yamaha teammate Jason O’Halloran collide, with Mackenzie initially ruled unfit to race in Sunday’s outings.
Despite broken bones in his hand and wrist, Mackenzie was given the all-clear by medics on Sunday morning, and shocked the field with a first and second place finish.
Reflecting on the weekend, Tarran, known as Taz – who now sits 30 points behind leader O’Halloran in the standings, said:“After being declared unfit on Saturday night, I went to bed pretty unhappy but having my hand in a cast overnight seemed to really help.
“I got some physio in the morning and was reassessed in the medical centre and they said I could ride in warm up. I gritted my teeth and was fastest, so I could ride in the race.
“I got into a bit of a rhythm in the race and as the race went on I felt a lot better, I was able to pick them off one by one and it was incredible to take the win.
“I was close to the win in the final race but we didn’t quite have enough on that last lap, but I am really happy with my work and I’m looking forward to Oulton Park next weekend.”
Brother Taylor, who continued his strong season with an eighth place finish in the National Superstock race, joked:“A broken finger, a broken hand and a broken wrist. Taz I don’t care what you say, after winning that race, you’re emptying the dishwasher tomorrow. What a legend. My hero.”
McAmsYamaha team principal Steve Rodgers added:“What a rollercoaster weekend.
“Saturday was less than ideal for the team but the good thing was neither of the riders were seriously hurt in what was a very nasty accident.
“I’m very proud of both of them for how they bounced back today, Jason can barely walk and Tarran’s hand is broken so to take a win apiece just shows how strong we are.
“It’s important now that we’ve got a weekend off before the final three rounds of the season which form the Showdown.‘‘