Fierce Battles for GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team in Assen Race One

23-04-2022

Fierce Battles for GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team in Assen Race One

In Race one at the Dutch round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship, GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team’s Garrett Gerloff made a late charge that brought him to an eight-place finish, with Kohta Nozane missing out on points after a long lap penalty.

Both riders returned to TT Circuit Assen for Free Practice 3 this morning, following good progress made in the first sessions on Friday. American rider Gerloff placed eight at the end of the session, with Nozane 16th.

Then came the Tissot Superpole, with Gerloff going sixth fastest on a 1’34.175, seeing him reach his target of qualifying on the second row, while Nozane put himself 16th (1’35.215).

In Race 1, Gerloff dropped places on the SC0 tyre and had to battle in the middle of the group. The American managed to climb back inside the top 10 in the final stages and a late charge saw him cross the line in eighth.

On the other hand, Nozane made an impressive start to run just outside of the top 10 by the end of the first lap. After that, the Japanese rider battled with those around for 13th position, but a long lap penalty cost him several places. Despite this, the 26-year-old came close to the points-paying positions but he was unable to quite make it, finishing 17th.

The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team will be back in action tomorrow in the Superpole Race at 11:00 (CET) and Race 2 at 15:15 (CET).

Race 1 results

Garrett Gerloff

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Position: 8th

"I’m happy with the Superpole as my goal was to be top six. We improved the bike every session and this is another positive aspect. For the race, we tried analyse the data we had and decided to go out with the SC0 on the rear, the harder compound. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much grip at the beginning and in the end, I was quick but not quick enough. The choice didn’t pay off in the end, but we learned the lesson and have a more clear idea for tomorrow.”

Kohta Nozane

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Position: 17th

“I managed to get a good start and put myself into the fight points. Unfortunately, the long lap penalty made things difficult, but I eventually came back into the fight for the top 15 feeling good on the bike. At the end, I couldn’t quite make it, but I’ll for sure come back stronger tomorrow.”