From Superbike to MotoGP, the leap is smaller than you think. Just ask Garrett Gerloff, who was contacted after the midweek tests in Navarre to replace Franco Morbidelli on the Petronas Yamaha.
The American then took the ball and we will see him in action tomorrow in Assen on the M1, which is sharing the garage with Valentino Rossi for the occasion. We remember it The two got to know each other last October in Valencia, when the American had to replace the nine-time world champion because of COVID.
“I thank Yamaha for this great opportunity and at the same time I wish Franco recover as quickly as possible – Gerloff began – this is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get on the M1 to start the weekend and my best”.
A route like Assen will certainly put him to the test …
“I haven’t seen the track yet, it’s actually something I will do after I finish this meeting, to do the track run. But I feel like I know the route because I’ve followed races from here all my life and also with the MotoGP website they have the onboard cameras and everything and I’ve watched some of them. So I’m looking forward to going out on the track tomorrow. “
The American shared the garage with Valentino for the entire weekend.
“I didn’t see Valentino today, but It’s weird to go to the pits and see your team and bike on the right, that’s the bike I rode last year. And now I’m on the other side. It’s kind of strange, but I still hope to see him soon. “
At the briefing on Thursday with the media, Gerloff told us a little about the background …
“I came back from the Navarra WSBK test and got a message and it just happened from there. It was definitely the last minute but thanks to everyone for the final job they did to make sure I have everything I need for Friday morning. It looks like an amazing track, looks like it has great flow, seems like a flowing track that I know is good for the Yamahas.
He had one last thought about his expectations for the weekend …
“This is my second time on a MotoGP bike and I have no idea what to expect. Last October in Valencia it was my first time and I had to figure everything out as I started from scratch. Now it’s going to be different. I’ll try to gain confidence with the M1 and then of course we have to understand the weather. If it rains, it wouldn’t be bad (he smiles), because it was raining in Valencia too. “