MGM Optical Express Racing confirms Tarran Mackenzie for 2026 WorldSBK campaign
Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) | Thursday January 22nd, 2026
To a fresh start and new beginnings: With Tarran Mackenzie and Optical Express, the German based team is ideally positioned for the new WorldSBK season.
Leading vision care specialists Optical Express and MGM Performance have confirmed a new partnership.
As a result, the team will compete in FIM World Superbike Championship 2026 as MGM Optical Express Racing. Scotsman rider Tarran Mackenzie will spearhead the team’s entry into the series.
The deal marks MGM Performance’s full-season return to WorldSBK under a new name. It combines Optical Express’s support with MGM’s technical base to target strong results in 2026. Mackenzie joined MGM at the eighth of 12 rounds in Hungary last season, bringing a breath of fresh air to the team. The 30-year-old gradually found his feet. After some impressive results earlier in the season, he delivered a stunning finale in Jerez, Spain. He finished ninth, seventh, and eighth in the races. Thus, he secured a spot within the fiercely contested top 10.
These results and the team spirit spurred team owner Michael Galinski on to peak performance over the winter.
This enabled him to strengthen it further, moreover thanks to the support of the Mackenzie family. In 2026, MGM Optical Express Racing and Mackenzie will not only debut a striking, highly recognisable blue, white, and black livery. Furthermore, World Supersport race winner Mackenzie will challenge for honours aboard the latest Ducati Corse RS V4R. This is the Italian marque’s newest evolution of its proven WorldSBK machine.
MGM Optical Express Racing rolls out its winter programme with imminent tests at Jerez in Spain and the Portuguese circuit of Portimao. This happens ahead of the opening round of the 2026 WorldSBK season which classically takes place in Australia at Phillip Island on 20-22nd February.
#95 Tarran MACKENZIE (MGM Optical Express Racing, Ducati RS V4R)
It’s great to finally announce the new partnership with Optical Express and MGM Performance. Everyone’s been working so hard in the background over the winter to prepare everything for the new season, so it’s great to finally show the new colours. I know the new Ducati RS V4R will be exceptional, and to have such strong backing behind me for 2026 gives me huge confidence. We have four days of testing in Europe before heading to Australia so I can’t wait to kick things off and get the season underway!
David MOULSDALE (Founder & CEO of Optical Express)
Supporting elite athletes has always been a passion of ours, and forming MGM Optical Express Racing for a full WorldSBK campaign is a natural progression. Tarran is an exceptional talent, and we are proud to support his journey on world stage.
Michael GALINSKI (MGM Performance Team Principal)
We are really looking forward to the new season. Being able to work with such a strong partner as Optical Express naturally gives us an even bigger boost. We want to try to work our way up from top 10 finishes, and I believe that Tarran has what it takes and we have the technical capabilities to do so. So, we are eagerly looking forward to the new season, the first race at Phillip Island, and then the European rounds