World Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff will finally make his MotoGP debut this weekend at the Dutch TT, as he steps in to replace the injured Franco Morbidelli at Petronas Yamaha.
The American was originally scheduled to replace Valentino Rossi last year at Valencia and impressed in his place in the Friday free practices, until the Italian returned a negative COVID test and reclaimed his spot.
Now Gerloff will finally get his chance to race an M1 this weekend, and will make his debut at the iconic Assen venue in the process – after the World Superbike round there was moved to later in the year.
“I’m excited for the opportunity ahead, I’m not someone who runs away from a challenge, so I’m ready to get to the track,” Gerloff said. “It’ll be a new circuit for me, I like trying new tracks, it looks fun, fast and flowing, and really suits my riding style. I’m looking forward to jumping on the Yamaha M1 again and twisting the throttle.
“We’ll see how things go, but I feel good and would like to thank Yamaha and the team for considering me. It won’t be easy, but I’m going to give it my best shot!”
Gerloff was one of three riders believed to be in consideration to stand in for Morbidelli, alongside fellow Yamaha WSB rider Toprak Razgatlioglu and Yamaha’s MotoGP test rider Cal Crutchlow.
According to Yamaha’s statement, Razgatlioglu, who currently lies second in the production bike championship, “turned down the opportunity in favour of remaining focused on his main aim in 2021, challenging for the crown” – although potential sponsorship clashes between the Monster-backed team and Red Bull-sponsored rider likely also played a role.
Crutchlow is believed to be focused on his work developing Yamaha’s 2022 MotoGP machine, hence the Brit not being given the nod to jump onto the satellite machine considering Morbidelli’s two-year-old 2019 M1.
According to a brief statement released last night by Petronas Yamaha after The Race broke the news of Morbidelli’s injury, the Italian is “undergoing medical assessment to determine the best course of action for recovery”, hinting that he may now need the surgery he’s been delaying.
