GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Unable to Maximise Full Potential in Portimao Race 1

08-10-2022

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Unable to Maximise Full Potential in Portimao Race 1

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team’s Garrett Gerloff crossed the line for a 10th-place finish in Race 1 at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, with Kohta Nozane missing out on points.

The two riders returned to action this morning for Free Practice 3, where both were looking for pace. Gerloff set the 10th fastest time on a 1’41.029, while his Japanese teammate was 21st (1’42.573).

In the Tissot Superpole, the American rider went faster but unfortunately couldn’t manage better than 11th on the grid. On the other side of the garage, Nozane improved his lap time by 1.252s to go 18th.

Afterwards, in the shortened Race 1 (14 laps), both GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team riders made a decent start, with the #3 enjoying an especially strong first lap, gaining three positions.

Gerloff made his way into contention for eighth place, fighting with the likes of Honda’s Xavi Vierge and BMW’s Loris Baz, eventually crossing the line in 10th. Nozane struggled in the latter stages of the race to finish 20th.

The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team will be back in Portimao tomorrow for the Superpole Race at 11:00 (WEST) and Race 2 at 14:00.

Garrett Gerloff

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Position: 10th

“Well, it wasn’t the easiest day for us. The bike improved for sure and I didn’t feel bad, but unfortunately the qualifying position wasn’t the best. Then, in Race 1, I was able to make a couple of passes but I also struggled to find places to overtake. So, we’re inside the top 10 but that’s not where we want to be. We know our potential is higher and we’ll try to show it tomorrow.”

Kohta Nozane

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Position: 20th

“In the Tissot Superpole we made a huge improvement, even though the crash was a shame as I felt I could be even faster. I’m really sorry to the team for that, the guys had to work hard to build the bike for the race. I had a good start and tried to fight for a points-paying position, but unfortunately I struggled in the latter stages and dropped places. We’ll try again on Sunday!”