After a short morning warm-up, which the riders used to make final preparation for the final races of the year, the team turned its attention to the ten-lap Superpole race. From twenty-third on the grid, Tarran lost a position off the line but quickly regained ground in the early stages of this sprint. With limited laps in which to make inroads, the Brit got past Öttl on lap six before setting his fastest time on lap eight of ten. Mackenzie crossed the line in twenty-first position. Somewhat conditioned by his starting position, Lopes immediately made up two places before settling into a rhythm as part of a small group of riders. The Portuguese rider worked hard to stick with his rivals, holding twenty-third position all the way to the line. 

Sunday afternoon brought the final Superbike race of the 2024 season, but it unfortunately did not bring a positive outcome for Tarran, whose 2024 campaign came to an end on lap four when he crashed at turn 2. Lying twenty-first early on in the race, Ivo again did his best to keep contact with the riders immediately ahead of him. Making up two positions over the final laps, the Portuguese rider finished the weekend inside the top twenty, with a P18. 

As for the championship standings, Mackenzie completes this 2024 WorldSBK season in twenty-third place with a total of 7 points, while Lopes has collected 2 points. The PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team will remain at the Jerez Circuit with Mackenzie, who was fortunately unhurt in the race 2 incident today, to take part in tests taking place on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 October. 

Tarran Mackenzie 

“This morning, I had a good run of lap times in the Superpole race, close to my qualifying times, which allowed me to stick with the group. We had a very similar bike for Race 2 and my goal was to start the race in the 1’41s so that I could keep with the group again. I was able to do that early on, but at a certain point the group moved away from me, and I had a small crash through turn 2, similar to other crashes I’ve had this season to be honest. And that was the end of my race. So, a frustrating way to end but there have been some positives that put us in better direction for Tuesday’s test.” 

Ivo Lopes 

“In today’s races I was able to push a bit more and our pace was better than yesterday but when you try to do too much, the spinning becomes a problem, and you find yourself fighting with the bike. In general, I think we’ve made some good progress over the rounds I’ve competed in though, as I’ve gradually moved closer to the riders in front and become a bit more competitive. And I want to say thank you to the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team for giving me the great opportunity I’ve had to race in this championship – it’s been a very valuable experience for me. I would like to stay in WorldSBK, but let’s see what the future brings.”