Stirling's Tarran Mackenzie feels stronger than ever ahead of debut World Superbike campaign

Stirling race ace Tarran Mackenzie hopes that the toughest two years of his career will make him stronger than ever for his debut World Superbike campaign.

The 28-year-old son of former Grand-Prix rider Niall Mackenzie and brother of former racer Taylor, will step up full-time to the World Superbike Championship with the Petronas MIE Honda Team.

And Taz admits it’s a dream come true to line up with a grid that includes superstars like Jonathan Rea, Toprak Razgatlioglu and former GP stars Alvaro Bautista, Danilo Petrucci and Scott Redding. Speaking to the Observer ahead of the season opener at the iconic Phillip Island in Australia next month, Taz said: “Growing up World Superbike was the goal. So to be a World Superbike rider still sounds pretty cool to say.

“Being in the paddock last year and riding a superbike at points allowed me to become a bit more familiar. It wasn’t as big a shock as I knew it was coming.

“It’ll probably only really sink in at the first round at Phillip Island in the new colours and ready to go for the season.

“This year the aim is simple – I want to keep improving, keep progressing and not get stuck in a rut.

“I want to keep improving and closing that gap to the people at the front.”

2021 marked the high point in Tarran’s career, as he followed in dad Niall’s footsteps by becoming British Superbike champion.

But an injury plagued title defence saw Taz break both ankles early in the season and then his tibia late in the campaign.

Stepping up to the global stage with the support World Supersport series on a Honda last year, Taz then found himself on uncompetitive and unreliable machinery. But he admitted: “2022 tested me in a lot of ways with injury, mindset and mentality. I had an injury,