BSB Donington: Taylor Mackenzie announces his retirement following Superstock victory

Taylor Mackenzie has announced that he will retire from motorcycle racing at the end of the 2021 Pirelli National Superstock season.

Mackenzie revealed the news live on Eurosport moments after taking an astonishing victory at Donington Park. The Bathams Racing BMW rider carved his way through the field from 31st on the grid to take his third victory of the season.

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The race winner told Eurosport that he’d spoken to Michael Rutter and the team on Thursday, informing them of his decision.

“I’ve found it really tough over the last few years,” an emotional Mackenzie said. “Away from the track, you wouldn’t believe how much stress and how ill I make myself at points just to go racing. It’s something I used to love doing, and I still love moments like this but there’s more harder times then there are good for me.

“I just wanted to prove to everybody that I can ride a bike. The team sorted all the problems we had out from yesterday and put it right today. On my day I can pedal a bike around alright. A huge thanks to everybody who has supported me over the years. Bathams have been amazing this year.”

Mackenzie won the 2016 National Superstock 1000 title and also finished runner-up with Bathams Racing in 2019. He’s also raced in the Superbike class, however his 2020 campaign with SYNETIQ BMW was hampered by a broken leg which denied him the opportunity to race at 100%.

Consequently, Mackenzie relied on funds from his YouTube channel, launching an initiative called YouRace, Patreon page and affiliate Amazon links to find a ride for 2021 – eventually reuniting with Rutter’s BMW team.

Previosuly, Mackenzie has competed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, British 125 Championship and British Supersport Championship – where he clinched a podium at Silverstone in 2014.

With one race remaining of the 2021 season, at Brands Hatch, Mackenzie is sixth in the Superstock standings with three victories and two further podiums. He’s only eight points behind fourth place man Luke Mossey.