Could an unfortunate injury have opened the door for a British Superbike return for 2021 Champion, Tarran Mackenzie?

At the halfway point of the 2025 World Superbike Championship, it was announced that Tarran Mackenzie and MIE Racing Honda would be parting ways.

Mackenzie had been in the MIE Racing Honda squad for two and a half years after leaving the British Superbike Championship to join the Malaysian team in World Supersport in 2023.

However, after one and a half difficult seasons together in World Superbikes, Mackenzie and the team's split has coincided with a potential British Superbike return for the 29-year-old.

Who could Mackenzie ride for in British Superbikes?

Hager PBM Ducati:

The 2021 British Superbike Champion has reportedly been searching for an opportunity to return to the British paddock, and one has just opened up.

At the Snetterton British Superbike Round, Hager PBM Ducati rider, Glenn Irwin, fractured his sacrum: a triangular bone at the base of the spine which sits between the two hip bones in the pelvis.

It has since been confirmed by PBM that Irwin will undergo surgery on his sacrum, and it is 'not possible to predict a timeline for his recovery and his return to the Hager PBM Ducati team'.

The statement from the team then went on to reveal that they will be searching for a 'suitable' replacement for Irwin.

"The understanding from the sponsors and the series organisers at this difficult time is also most appreciated, and the team is working hard on finding a suitable stand-in rider with the aim of being back on track at Knockhill."

With the unfortunate injury to Irwin and Mackenzie's sudden departure from the MIE Racing Honda squad, it appears possible that Mackenzie could be on track in Hager PBM Ducati colours at Knockhill in just over a week.

McAMS Racing Yamaha:

However, an unexpected option may have appeared that could see Mackenzie back on a Yamaha R1. The 29-year-old has five years of experience on the R1 with Steve Rodgers' McAMS Yamaha squad.

The McAMS Yamaha banner is now run by Mar-Train Racing and has been fielding Danny Kent since the start of the 2024 season.

But new rumours suggest that the 2015 Moto3 World Champion could be on his way over to Hager PBM Ducati to replace Irwin whilst he is recovering.

This would then leave a Yamaha R1 open for Mackenzie, reuniting him with the same bike that he left at the end of the 2022 season.

During his time on a Yamaha R1 in British Superbikes, Mackenzie won 16 races, featured on 27 further podiums, and claimed the 2021 title.

However, nothing has been officially announced at the time of writing.