Tarran Mackenzie believes a lack of opportunities — not talent — is holding BSB riders back in WorldSBK.
Fewer riders have made the jump from BSB to WorldSBK in recent years, despite the British championship previously producing champions such as Jonathan Rea, Neil Hodgson and Troy Bayliss.
One of the biggest differences between British Superbikes and WorldSBK is the level of electronics used in the championship, with modern WorldSBK machinery requiring a very different riding style.
Having competed in both paddocks, Mackenzie believes the issue is less about rider ability and more about the opportunities available to riders arriving from national championships.
Mackenzie exclusively told Motorsport Week, “I don’t know, I think in the past, if you look all the way back to Hodgson and Bayliss, all these guys came from BSB to WorldSBK.
“I think WorldSBK just looked at national championships as it was more relevant, similar machinery, similar rules, and now it’s just different. I’d say a lot of these teams are looking towards MotoGP and Moto2.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the rider because I feel like if you just gave some national championship ride, I’m not saying every national championship rider, but some that come here, if you just gave them Bradley Ray, for example, gave them more time on a more competitive package, in my opinion, Brad would still be here.
“It wasn’t the fact that he couldn’t get up to speed or anything like that. I think he proved it enough.”
Tarran Mackenzie admits he is ‘still adjusting’ to riding a WorldSBK machine
Mackenzie believes his own experience adapting to WorldSBK machinery highlights how difficult the transition from BSB can be, particularly for riders arriving without extensive testing or factory-level support.
After winning the BSB title in 2021, the Scotsman joined MIE Honda in WorldSSP in 2023 before stepping up to WorldSBK a year later.
Mackenzie admitted that adapting to WorldSBK machinery after BSB has taken several years to fully understand, particularly due to the differences in riding style and electronics between the two championships.
“I think BSB, the riding’s just a little bit different. The tracks are a little bit different. I was definitely setting a way of riding that I took,” the former BSB champion explained.
“I’m still adjusting now, even with a new bike, but maybe I got a little bit lost in the fact that the package I did arrive on a Honda, maybe I was questioning whether it was me riding right or the bike.
“So, now I’ve got on the Ducati, things seem a bit simpler and more understanding.
“I picture myself riding a BSB bike with no electronics, and I think I’d probably send myself to the closest medical centre.
“I’m definitely more in a way of riding a WorldSBK correctly now, but still trying to understand it and still trying to learn how to just get the best out of it.”
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