Feisty fightbacks keeps Mackenzie top of BSB table

Tarran Mackenzie remains at the head of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship following the second round of the season at Oulton Park after being rewarded for two determined race day fightbacks.

With a maiden BSB victory at Silverstone securing his spot on top of the standings heading to the Cheshire circuit, McAMS Yamaha’s Mackenzie nonetheless endured a difficult start to the weekend with 11thon the grid a far cry from his pole position-winning exploits a fortnight earlier.

A wide moment that left him 17that the end of the opening lap of race one didn’t aid the Scot’s chances either, but thereafter he demonstrated solid pace to claw his way back up to eighth position at the chequered flag.

Starting ninth for race two, Mackenzie maintained his forward momentum to finish fifth, a conclusion he was otherwise pleased with given the indifferent start to the weekend.

“It’s been a tricky weekend,” he admitted. “Race one was difficult as I out braked myself into Lodge on the first lap, making it hard work for myself as I re-joined 17th! I managed to finish eighth which wasn’t too bad and then had a better starting position in race two.

“I got stuck behind a rider for a bit too long, two or three laps, but once I got past I managed to chase after Jason [O’Halloran], Christian [Iddon] and Scott [Redding] and finally caught Scott, but I was a little bit too late to take fourth!

“Fifth place doesn’t sound great, but after the weekend I’ve had I’m happy with that. We’ve got a good feeling on the bike and I’m looking forward to my home round in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Mackenzie holds onto the series lead alongside Tommy Bridewell on 64 points, though victory countback means he is classified in first position.