BSB: Tarran Mackenzie undergoes successful ankle surgery after training incident

Reigning Bennetts British Superbike champion Tarran Mackenzie has undergone successful surgery on his ankle following a training incident in Spain.

The McAMS Yamaha rider was testing on his Yamaha R1 track bike at Cartagena last Tuesday (January 18) when he crashed. As a result, Mackenzie suffered a fracture to the bottom of his right tibia, as well as a dislocated right shoulder.

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Mackenzie underwent surgery on Thursday (January 20) after being seen by Dr Xavier Mir and his team at Barcelona’s Dexeus University Hospital. He’s had three screws inserted into his tibia.

“Tarran has since travelled to Girona where he will undergo physio before returning home in February for further recuperation,” McAMS Yamaha’s statement added. “It is expected that he will be fit for the first official Bennetts British Superbike test at the end of March.”

The incident is not the ideal start for the 2021 BSB champion. Mackenzie has an important year ahead of him after opting to stay in the UK. He’ll run the number one plate as he aims to become the first rider to successfully defend his crown since Shane Byrne in 2017.

Alongside his BSB commitments, Mackenzie will also enter three World Superbike Championship rounds as a wildcard. Mackenzie is due to appear at Donington Park and Assen, with a third circuit to be confirmed in due course. He’ll race with a full WorldSBK-spec R1, with support from the Yamaha factory.

The first official test of the year takes place at Snetterton on March 26-27, before the paddock heads to Donington for a one-day test on March 31. A two-day test at Silverstone follows on April 6-7, before the circuit hosts the first round on April 15-17.