The weather made the morning free practice quite tricky, although it was useful to try out the wet set up for both riders. In the afternoon session the team could continue to test different solutions. The American Gerloff took a step forward and is getting more confident, especially on the front of the bike. Teammate Caricasulo struggled a little bit because of the lack of time caused by the bad weather but he is confident they will make strides tomorrow with the feeling with the bike. The first race of the year tomorrow will give some more data and feedback to the team about their potential. Both riders are looking forward the race and will try to challenge themselves to achieve a top 10 position.
GRT Yamaha Get Back to Work in Australia
GRT Yamaha Get Back to Work in Australia
The GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team concluded day one of the first round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in 15th and 16th position on the combined timesheets.
Garrett Gerloff
Position: 15th Time: 1'31.898
Today was a learning day, I kind of figured out in the rain what the track offers and I felt a bit more comfortable on the rain tires. I feel like we figured out what it’s like to set up in the rain and then luckily this afternoon we had more sun. We kept working on the dry set up that session and that was important for me. I was able to ride around with some more riders and that seems to be what makes the biggest difference because I feel like I have been putting my effort and pushing in the wrong spot in the track and trying to make a lap time come from the places where it shouldn’t. Then I felt more relaxed and was able to follow them more easily than I had imagined, and the lap time was still there. It was important to understand that it’s not as difficult as I am making it out to be. Sometimes I’m just trying too hard when I should just let everything come to me. This was key for today. I am excited about tomorrow; I just would like to ride with these guys and be able to see exactly what they are doing and what happens. I am going to learn a lot about my bike and about myself, and where both of us can improve.
Federico Caricasulo
Position: 16th Time: 1'32.008
Today was not an easy day because in the first session we could not do anything because the track was wet, and after it was half wet and half dry. In the second session we had the opportunity to continue the work that we started in the test, it’s a work in progress, so step by step we will try to reduce the gap. For tomorrow I would like to concentrate always on the next challenge, so first FP3, then qualifying and finally on the first race.
