MIE Honda Annuonces All-New Line-Up for Czech WorldSBK
07/18/2024 09:58 AM
MIE Honda has announced an all-new line-up for this weekend's Czech WorldSBK, following injuries for both its regular full-time riders, Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin.
Mackenzie was ruled out of the Superpole Race and Race 2 at the WorldSBK UK Round last weekend, and the timing could not have been worse. The WorldSBK calendar is littered with breaks between races of two weeks, three, and even more, but Mackenzie managed to be diagnosed with concussion in the first round of one of now two (since Estoril was brough in to replace Hungary the week before the final round in Jerez) sequences of back-to-back races.
It means that Mackenzie is also forced to miss this weekend's race in Most, where last year he won his first WorldSSP race in mixed conditions.
As for Norrodin, the Malaysian was diagnosed with a right forearm abrasion when he crashed in race 2 last weekend, and that appears to be what is keeping him out of action in Most.
In relatively little time, MIE Honda has been able to draft in replacements for both riders in Most, with American Hayden Gillim and Argentina's Leandro Mercado filling in this weekend. Gillim, the reigning MotoAmerica Superstock champion, currently sits 11th in the MotoAmerica Superbike standings, having picked up a best result of sixth, at Barber Motorsports Park, so far this season.
Ahead of his WorldSBK debut, Gillim said: "I'm very excited for this weekend. I'd always hoped that I could race in World Superbike one day. I know it's going to be a big learning experience, as it's a new track, different tyres, a new team, and a different bike.
"Racing a 2024 Honda Superbike versus my 2023 stock Honda in America is going to take some getting used to, but I'm ready for the challenge. I have to thank the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team and Midori Moriwaki for the opportunity. As well as my team, sponsors, and family back at home for being supportive of me and my goals."
Mercado, on the other hand, is more experienced in WorldSBK, and rode for the MIE team last year, but this year has been splitting duties between the Endurance World Championship and the German IDM Superbike series. In the former, the Argentinian has been riding for the Viltais Honda team (which is not heading to Suzuka this weekend for the 8 Hour), which has finished fourth in both the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans and the 8 Heures Spa Motos this year. In IDM, Mercado has ridden a Kawasaki, most recently (and conveniently) at Most at the end of June where he took finishes of fifth and eighth.
"It will be good to be back in the WorldSBK paddock, and with a team I know," Mercado said ahead of the Czech Round. "Fortunately, I was free to ride this weekend as I'm not at the Suzuka 8 Hours in the end. I'm not starting the weekend with any particular expectations, but I would like to improve session by session.
"I'll do the best I can to harness my experience and provide the team with more useful data. I want to thank the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team for inviting me back, and hopefully we can have a good weekend."
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