Gerloff Scores Best WorldSBK Result on Sunday at Estoril

18-10-2020

Gerloff Scores Best WorldSBK Result on Sunday at Estoril

The final day of the 2020 season saw GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team’s Garrett Gerloff storm to second in the Estoril Superpole Race, forming part of Yamaha’s first-ever 1-2-3 in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

In the morning’s Warm Up, the GRT Yamaha crew made some final tweaks to the two Yamaha R1 bikes' set-up, with Gerloff and Italian teammate Federico Caricasulo going eighth and 17th fastest, respectively.

Things improved for both riders during the Superpole Race, as Gerloff achieved a WorldSBK career-best second-place finish, becoming the first American since Ben Spies to score back-to-back podiums, while Caricasulo finished 12th.

Race 2 would then see Gerloff fall out of contention while running in third position, whereas his teammate ended the year with a solid ninth place.

Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSBK Supported Team’s Loris Baz endured a tough end to his season, falling in the Superpole Race, before a technical issue took him out of Race 2. Wildcard rider Jonas Folger enjoyed a positive second WorldSBK appearance, finishing 13th in the SPRC and 11th in Race 2.

For full SPRC results, click here.
For full Race 2 results, click here.

Garrett Gerloff - SPRC: P2 / R2: DNF

GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team

What an amazing weekend. I’m really happy with how things went, for the most part. I had my best qualifying of the year, another podium, and then I had a second place in the Superpole Race, which is now my best finish. All of that was amazing and I am so happy to give all of it to the GRT Yamaha team. They have been amazing all year, we have worked really well together and had an awesome time, so I am really happy that we had some success in the end. In Race 2 though I had a little crash and unfortunately I wasn’t able to continue. That was a little bit frustrating, but sometimes it happens and it doesn’t make me any less happy, because we still finished the season in a strong way - I can’t wait for the next year. Big thanks to the team, everybody that supports us and I can’t wait to be back in 2021 with the new bike. I am really confident and I think we can do some good things.

Federico Caricasulo – SPRC: P12 / R2: P9

GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team

Today was a positive day, we definitely took a step forward in comparison to yesterday in terms of race pace and we managed to fight with the group of riders between the sixth and ninth positions, which is where I eventually finished. My final position also improved compared to yesterday. I am quite satisfied with the race pace and with our work.

Loris Baz - SPRC: DNF / R2: DNF

Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSBK Supported Team

In the Superpole Race, I had the same problems as yesterday in Race 1. I just could not manage to overtake the guys in front of me despite clearly being faster in some sections. When I made a mistake and crashed, a big crash that caused a lot of damage. However, the guys could repair my Yamaha R1 for Race 2. In this race I had a better feeling and I could pass a couple of guys. Unfortunately, we had a technical issue which was probably caused by the crash earlier in the day and there was no other opportunity than to return to the pits and end the race. Of course, this is not the way we would have hoped to finish the season. We have shown time and time again that we can be there, and we have stood on the podium a couple of times, so a day like this is extra disappointing. Especially when you see how we started the weekend on Friday.