Both riders enjoyed a strong Superpole session, with Gerloff first of the Yamaha riders in sixth, and Kohta Nozane improving his fastest time greatly in his first qualifying session on the soft Pirelli tyres. On the flip side of the coin, the higher temperatures of Race 1 did not allow the Yamaha R1 to exploit its potential fully, leaving the two GRT Yamaha riders further away from the leaders than they had hoped.
Tomorrow’s weather predictions seem to be exactly what the team wants to hear, as the forecasted lack of sunshine and lower temperatures should be helpful to fight at the front in the Superpole Race and Race 2.
In the first race, Gerloff made a superb start, with the American able to immediately make his way up to fourth position. In the following laps, though, he was not able to maintain the same stellar pace, eventually taking the chequered flag in ninth. The speed is there, and the 25-year-old will try to fight for the podium again tomorrow.
Nozane’s race got off to a very strong start, with the Japanese rider immediately able to work his way to 11th on the first lap, but he then struggled to maintain the same pace for the remainder of the race. His 14th final position still provides him with his first points, as well as experience and data, which will prove crucial tomorrow and in the upcoming rounds.
For Race 1 results, click here.
