The American Garett Gerloff replaced Valentino Rossi at Yamaha last year for one day on Friday of the European Grand Prix in Valencia due to a negative PCR test which was pending for the Doctor. But this time, the one who is a rider of the brand on an R1 in WSBK will have the opportunity to make his debut in MotoGP alongside Valentino Rossi with whom he will share the Petronas box. However, he was not the first choice to replace a Franco Morbidelli with injured knee...
Indeed, Yamaha first requested Toprak Razgalioglu who met a few weeks ago Valentino Rossi at the ranch. The Turk is even cited as a possible replacement for Vale when the latter decides to retire for good. But the protégé of Kenan Sofuoglu is only 20 points away in the championship WSBK de Jonathan Rhea. It was therefore necessary to define priorities…
And they went towards the title race in WSBK. Garrett Gerloff didn't ask for so much and he will find in the paddock his compatriots competing in Moto2 who are Joe Roberts et Cameron Beaubier. The international explosion of gerloff dates from last year, where he arrived at World Superbike from MotoAmerica Superbike, in which he competed for two seasons after being a double MotoAmerica Supersport champion in 2016 and 2017. In his first year in World, he achieved great performances and he got on the podium in Catalonia and Estoril. He also caused a bit of a sensation during free practice for the aforementioned European Grand Prix, setting lap times that were nothing short of ridiculous.
Garrett Gerloff: “je ne suis pas quelqu’un qui fuit les défis”
« I am excited about this opportunity. I'm not someone who runs away from challenges, so I'm ready to hit the trail »Says Garrett Gerloff, who enters the big leagues through the door of the cathedral ofAssen, where he never raced. “ It will be a new circuit for me, I like trying new tracks, it looks fun, fast and smooth, and it suits my riding style. I can't wait to get back on the Yamaha M1 and twist the throttle. I'll see how things go, but I feel good and I want to thank Yamaha for thinking of me. It won't be easy but I will do my best He promises.
