Mackenzie, Moto Rapido Ducati split
Taylor Mackenzie and Moto Rapido Ducati have decided to mutually part company with immediate effect midway through the Knockhill race weekend.
Mackenzie, who sits 18th in the current Bennetts British Superbike championship, opted to leave the Ducati squad following the final free practice session at his home round in which he ended the session a disappointing 21st.
Taylor Mackenzie and Moto Rapido Ducati have decided to mutually part company with immediate effect midway through the Knockhill race weekend.
Mackenzie, who sits 18th in the current Bennetts British Superbike championship, opted to leave the Ducati squad following the final free practice session at his home round in which he ended the session a disappointing 21st.
The 2016 National Superstock 1000 champion, who made the switch from the factory Suzuki squad to Moto Rapido Ducati at the start of the season, says he makes the decision with a heavy heart but concedes his results have not reached expectations.
“I’m really sad to be leaving the Moto Rapido team,” Mackenzie said. “For some reason I’ve struggled to achieve the results I know I’m capable of in the superbike class this season.
“The team have been fantastic from day one and I wish them all the very best in the future. I have no immediate plans but I hope to be back racing as soon as possible.”
Team owner Steve Moore says “all options to make the Ducati suit Taylor” were attempted but the squad were unable to get the 25-year-old to gel with the Panigale R.
“This is an extremely tough racing class and this season is no exception, while 2018 pre-season was promising the results have not come our way together,” Moore said. “It’s just not happened, and we have exhausted all the options to make the Ducati suit Taylor and he has decided to leave the team.
“We part on friendly terms and thank him for his effort and professionalism. I still believe he has a great racing future. We expect to make another team announcement shortly.”
