Gerloff’s Ninth In Superpole Race Followed By A Heartbreaking Result In WSBK Race 2 At Czech Republic – MotoAmerica

Gerloff was in a fight for fifth place in Race 2 until disaster struck on the final lap. Photo courtesy of GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

Garrett Gerloff, who is a former MotoAmerica Superbike winner, looked to be headed for his best result of the season aboard his GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team YZF-R1, but it all ended in heartbreak for the Texan on the final day of the Prosecco DOC Czech Round of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Autodrom Most.

In the Superpole Race, Gerloff was one of highest-gridded riders using Pirelli’s harder SC0 rear tire, and he fought for a sixth-place spot until the very end but he unfortunately dropped back and eventually finished ninth.

In Race 2, he got a good start and settled into a fight for fifth. He held off Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK rider Andrea Locatelli and was gaining on Axel Bassani, too, but on the final lap of the race, his rear tire inexplicably blew out, dropping him to 18th at the finish.

“A bittersweet day,” Gerloff commented. “In the Superpole Race, unfortunately we did not use the soft tire. I tried my best but it didn’t pay off. In Race 2, the feeling was really good, and we were about to get our best result of the year before the tire blew out. I tried to finish the race in first gear, and it’s such a shame. I’m gutted for myself and the whole team, I’m so sorry for them. We should look at the positives and build on that. Now, I’ll be heading home for the summer break before focusing on France.”

After the summer break, Gerloff and the rest of the WorldSBK riders will return to the track for the French round at Magny-Cours on September 9 through 11.