BSB Champion Tarran Mackenzie suffers ankle fracture in testing accident

Reigning British Superbike Champion Tarran Mackenzie has undergone surgery following an accident during BSB pre-season training that left him with an ankle injury.

The 26-year old was participating in a private testing session at the Cartagena circuit on a Yamaha R1 when he fell heavily, sustaining a fracture to his tibia and a dislocated shoulder.

Following the incident - which occurred on Tuesday [18 January] - Mackenzie travelled to Barcelona the following day to have three pins fixed into the ankle during surgery..

The operation was performed by Dr Xavier Mir, the preferred specialist for a number of high-profile motorcycle racers, at the renowned Dexeus University Hospital.

He will now remain in Girona until February before heading back to the UK to continue his recuperation. A statement from the team - in full below - says it is confident he will recover in time for the first official BSB test in March.

Mackenzie swept to his first BSB title in 2021, his ten wins - five of which were achieved during the Title Showdown - allowing him to overhaul team-mate and title favourite Jason O’Halloran.

Full statement from McAMS Yamaha

“The 2021 Bennetts British Superbike champion sustained a fracture to the bottom of his right tibia, as well as a dislocated right shoulder, in a fall while riding his R1 track bike at the Cartagena circuit last Tuesday.

“He was seen by Dr Xavier Mir and his team at Barcelona's Dexeus University Hospital on Wednesday and underwent surgery to insert three screws into his tibia the following day.

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