Mackenzie and Norrodin prepare to fight in France
The summer break now behind them, the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team and riders Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin gear up for action at the Magny-Cours circuit in France, where they will compete in this weekend’s ninth round of the 2023 Supersport World Championship.
The team returns to action with motivation at an all-time high following the exceptional results it achieved at the Czech round just prior to the holidays. In a race that ran in wet conditions, Tarran Mackenzie powered his CBR600RR from twenty-second on the grid to first across the finish line, followed not too far behind by Adam Norrodin, in fifth place. Although the riders are aware that the circumstances at Most were unique, the results have undoubtedly boosted their confidence as they prepare for the final rounds of the 2023 season. Mackenzie also benefited from additional track time just a few days ago, when he took part in a two-day test at Motorland Aragón.As has often been the case this year, Mackenzie and Norrodin head to Magny-Cours with no prior experience of the track, meaning that they have one more challenge to face during Friday’s practice sessions. Both are nevertheless optimistic about their chances in France this weekend.
Located close to the town of Nevers in the Nièvre department of central-east France, the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours was constructed in 1960. A regular fixture on the Superbike calendar, the circuit has been hosting the production-derived championship since 2003 but has also staged MotoGP and F1 races in the past. Measuring 4.411 kilometres in length, the track incorporates seventeen turns and runs in a clockwise direction.
Tarran Mackenzie
“It was useful to ride at Aragón last week and get back into a rhythm on the Supersport bike after the summer break. Now we have Magny-Cours, which is a new track for me, but I’ve watched a lot of videos and I think it will suit my style. Conditions were mixed at Most and we scored a good result there, and so considering that you never know what kind of weather we might have in France, I can say that I’m looking forward to the weekend. Wet or dry, hopefully we can have a positive weekend.”
Adam Norrodin
“It was nice to spend time with family and friends during the summer break. I’ve been training hard as well to prepare for the final part of the season. I’m really looking forward to getting back to work and building on what we did at Most. The team’s technicians have made the most of the time over the summer to work on the bike and the whole team is very hungry to score more good results. Magny-Cours poses a challenge as it’s another new track for us, but that won’t stop me from pushing. Sometimes results can be unexpected and there can be good feeling even at a track we’ve never seen before. Step one will be to get comfortable on the bike and with this new circuit and then we’ll see what we can do.”
Track Information:
Country: France
Name: Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Length: 4.411 km
Pole position: right
Turns: 8 left, 9 right
SSP RECORDS: Best lap – Baldassarri (Yamaha) 1’40.547(2022). Superpole – Bernardi (Yamaha) 1’40.330 (2021).
2022 SSP RESULTS:
Race 1 – 1. Baldassarri (Yamaha), 2. Van Straalen (Yamaha); 3. Aegerter (Yamaha)
Race 2 – 1. Aegerter (Yamaha); 2. Cluzel (Yamaha); 3. Bulega (Ducati)
