Tarran Mackenzie has surged up the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings as he continues to get his title defence back on track after injury.
The reigning champion claimed his third win of the season last time out at Thruxton following the incredible three-way tussle against his McAMS Yamaha teammate Jason O'Halloran and Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha’s Bradley Ray.
“It was a perfect weekend at Thruxton,” said Mackenzie. “The racing was great, the weather was great and to be a part of it all was fantastic so hopefully we can have some more races like that during the season! My social media went mad afterwards - I even got a message from Ben Spies!
“Winning the last one felt really good as I had scored two seconds, and after the first race on Saturday, me and Brad were fighting to get passed Jason, but where we were battling we lost a bit of rhythm and that gave Jason get away a little bit.
“Then to be leading out the last corner and pipped by him at the line, I was really hungry to get the win in the last one. I had a completely different race three, where I had led pretty much most of the laps right until 18 with nobody coming past.
“Then I had had two laps of both Jason and Brad coming by, so it was a proper scrap but me being at the front meant I saved quite a bit of tyre and I had some opportunities to line up and pass Jason and Brad on the last couple of laps.
“I took a bit of a risk passing into Church with the slipstream, but luckily it paid off and to end the weekend on a win is always a good way going into the next round. I left there with plenty of confidence and a good feeling with the bike.”
Mackenzie believes that he has taken a step forward, knowing that Thruxton hasn’t been his strongest circuit in the past, so is now thriving off the momentum from the previous races ahead of Cadwell Park this weekend.
“Last year Jason had a bit of an advantage over me at Thruxton, but I left Brands Hatch in a good place,” added Mackenzie.
“We left the bike how it was and it was a step in me and my riding so it was nice to see that I am learning still and making the difference when I need to.”
Mackenzie currently holds seventh in the overall standings, but knows another strong podium performance this weekend could promote him further up the order ahead of the Snetterton Title Fighter decider.
“I am not confirmed in the Showdown yet but to be in the top eight after the third round coming back at Brands Hatch was great,” added Mackenzie. “The plan was always to be in it at Snetterton, but to be in it already is great and I have moved up to seventh, are close to sixth and not far off third.
“It is quite funny really as myself and the team didn’t expect to be this far up already after coming back from injury so that is a bonus, so it’s so far so good.”
Three races this weekend at Cadwell Park and three at Snetterton will decide the final line up of Title Fighters in the Showdown and Mackenzie will be pushing to make steps forward again.
“Everyone knows that Cadwell Park has been a bit of a struggle for me in the past,” added Mackenzie. “I haven’t had the best results there and for one reason or another. I am focused on bettering myself there and I have a good plan with the team and the track time is going to be good for me.
“I have a good feeling on the bike, I am making some difference and there is a lot more to come from me at Cadwell Park rather than the bike, so we just need to find a base setting I am happy with and then focus on myself.
“I want to try and be as far up the grid and positions as possible to leave Cadwell Park in a positive place to be in the Showdown come Snetterton and be in with a chance of the championship come the last three rounds. I am looking forward to it and smiling as always!”