Hard-Fought Battles in Portimão: Mackenzie Secures Top 10 Finishes

The “Rollercoaster” of Portimão lived up to its reputation as the MGM Optical Express Racing team wrapped up a grueling Round 2 of the 2026 WorldSBK Championship. Following the wet-weather heroics of Australia, the goal in Portugal was clear: prove the Ducati V4 R’s pace in the dry.

Tarran Mackenzie delivered a masterclass in consistency, navigating the technical elevation changes of the Algarve circuit to secure crucial points across all three races, cementing his position among the world’s elite.

The Weekend Breakdown
In Race 1, Mackenzie showcased the “smooth style” he’s known for, engaging in a fierce five-way battle for the top eight. He crossed the line in 9th, achieving his goal of a strong dry-weather result.

Sunday’s Superpole Race was a sprint to the finish where Mackenzie finished 10th, narrowly missing out on a front-three row start for the final race. However, in Race 2, under the scorching Portuguese sun, Mackenzie fought back with determination, finishing 8th after a late-race surge.

Source: MGM Optical Express Racing / WorldSBK.com