MGM Ducati boss Michael Galinski heaped praise on Tarran Mackenzie after the team’s difficult 2025 WorldSBK season.
The satellite Ducati team went through a difficult period after issues with its former title sponsor Bonovo caused financial hardship, leaving the squad close to pulling out of the series.
In addition, Scott Redding left to rejoin the British Superbikes championship mid-way through the season, leaving MGM without a rider.
BSB champion Mackenzie recently left the Petronas Honda team and became available, with the new partnership formed midway through 2025 for the remainder of the season.
“He pulled the team out of a slump,” shared Galinski to Speedweek.
“When things are going well, everything is easy. When they’re not, it becomes difficult.
“Tarran arrived and brought an incredibly positive energy from day one.
“He’s extremely resilient and has brought new energy to the team. What he’s shown in just five [2025] race weekends confirms for me: he’s a very good rider. We want to continue with him.”
Mackenzie finished the season with a string of point finishes before posting his best WorldSBK weekend result of ninth, seventh and eighth at the 2025 season finale in Jerez.
Galinski believes this result should act as a springboard and help set expectations for the 2026 season aboard the new Ducati Panigale V4 R.
“We know what our rider is capable of, what the bike is capable of, and what the team is capable of,” he added.
“We are aiming for top 10 results – also in the overall standings.
“That’s ambitious, but achievable, considering what Tarran showed at the finale in Jerez.”
The Scotsman finished 12th in Race 1 at Phillip Island, missed out on points in the Superpole Race, but delivered his best WorldSBK result to date in Race 2 with fourth place in treacherous conditions.
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