It is unfortunate that riders Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin, both of whom have great memories of the 2023 Czech round when they crossed the line first and fifth respectively in the second of the weekend’s World Supersport races, have been deemed unfit to participate in round six after each suffering a crash during the recent British round at Donington Park. Both riders hope to be able to rejoin the team at Portimão in August. 

Mackenzie will be replaced this weekend by Hayden Gillim, 29, who hails from Owensboro, Kentucky (US). He was the 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion and is currently leading that same championship again this season aboard the Real Steel Motorsports team’s Honda CBR1000RR-R. Gillim will be making his WorldSBK debut this weekend and at a track he’s never seen before. He will face a steep learning curve but can count on the full support of the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team. 

On the other side of the garage, the team confirms that it is Argentinian rider Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado who will stand in for Norrodin. 32-year-old Tati is no stranger to the WorldSBK championship, having completed several seasons in the production-derived reigning class, nor to the MIE Racing team in fact, in that the Argentinian rode with the squad full-time in 2021 and 2022. Mercado has the advantage of knowing the bike and the circuit too, having raced there in 2022. 

Located in the north-east of the country, Autodrom Most was completed in the early 80s and became the first permanent racing facility in the then Czechoslovakia. It has been used for a wide variety of two- and four-wheel competitions over the years and is a popular venue. Measuring 4.212 km in length, the track comprises seven left-hand turns and fourteen right-handers. 

Hayden Gillim 

“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.” 

Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado 

“It will be good to be back in the WorldSBK paddock, and with a team I know! 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!” 

Track information: 

Country: Czech Republic
Name: Autodrom Most
Length: 4.212 km
Pole position: left 

Corners: 7 left-hand, 14 right-hand 

SBK RECORDS: Best lap: Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) 1'31.180 (2022). Superpole: Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) 1’30.801 (2023). 

2023 RESULTS: 

Race 1 - 1. Rea (Kawasaki); 2. Razgatlioglu (Yamaha); 3. Petrucci (Ducati). 

Superpole race: 1. Razgatlioglu (Yamaha); 2. Rea (Kawasaki); 3. Bautista (Ducati). 

Race 2 - 1. Bautista (Ducati); 2. Petrucci (Ducati); 3. Rea (Kawasaki).