WorldSBK’s Garrett Gerloff replaces Franco Morbidelli for Dutch MotoGP
Factory Yamaha WorldSBK racer Garrett Gerloff is standing in for the Injured Franco Morbidelli for the Dutch MotoGP at Assen
AFTER suffering a knee injury in a training accident, Patronas SRT Yamaha MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli is side-lined for the next round, with WorldSBK sensation Garrett Gerloff set to replace him.
The injury to Morbidelli is thought to be left knee ligament damage, something he sustained at the Le Mans MotoGP round, and aggravated while training between rounds.
Yamaha has now named Gerloff as Morbidelli’s replacement after a string of strong results at the tail end of last season, and a decent start to 2021. Gerloff currently sits in 6th place in the standings, just ahead of Michael van der Mark and behind last round winner Michael Rubin Rinaldi.
Speaking about the opportunity, Gerloff said: "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.
"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!"
MotoGP Motorbikes Specs Comparison
Assen will be the first time Gerloff has stepped on a MotoGP machine since he deputised for Valentino Rossi at the European Grand Prix in 2020. That time it was COVID-19 that forced the Italian out of his seat, missing two practice sessions before finally gaining a negative test result. Gerloff impressed the team and paddock in that short time, quickly getting to grips with the bike and the Michelin slick tyres.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
