Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global

Gerloff to ride in place of Rossi on Friday at Valencia

World Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff will ride in place of Valentino Rossi on Friday at the MotoGP European Grand Prix as the latter awaits the results of a COVID test.

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Yamaha confirmed on Thursday Rossi tested negative for COVID-19 at home in Italy and was able to travel to Valencia, where he had to undergo another PCR test before being allowed to enter the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

Rossi had that test this morning, with a result expected this evening. Should he test negative again, Rossi will return to action on Saturday morning in FP3.

 On Wednesday Yamaha announced Gerloff as its standby replacement should Rossi not be able to race this weekend, having tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after an initial test.

 Yamaha has now confirmed Gerloff will take part in Friday’s two sessions in Valencia, and will remain in place should Rossi test positive.

Garrett Gerloff, GRT Yamaha

Garrett Gerloff, GRT Yamaha

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

A brief statement from Yamaha read: “Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP announce that Garrett Gerloff will take part in the today‘s MotoGP sessions of the European GP held in Valencia, Spain, while waiting for the result of the PCR test that Valentino Rossi did this morning, that will be revealed this evening.

“Should the Italian test negative again, he will take part in this weekend‘s Gran Premio de Europa from tomorrow‘s FP3 onwards.”

Gerloff’s appearance in Friday’s practices for the European GP mark the first for an American rider in MotoGP since the late Nicky Hayden’s final premier class start at Phillip Island in 2016.

The American, who came through the MotoAmerica series, made his debut in WSBK in 2020 with Yamaha’s satellite squad GRT.

Finishing 11th in the standings at the end of a strong campaign, Gerloff also managed three podium visits in the latter stages at the Catalunya and Estoril rounds. 

Speaking on Thursday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Gerloff expressed his sorrow at the situation which has led to his first MotoGP experience.

However, he admitted Yamaha choosing him was an “honour” and said the chance to potentially ride Rossi’s M1 was “something dreams are made of”.

Gerloff also said he’d spoken to Yamaha’s last American MotoGP rider Ben Spies - who scored his last podium at Valencia in 2011 - prior to this weekend for some advice

FP1 for the European GP will get under way at 10:55am local time in wet conditions.

 

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Rossi may race in European GP, pending COVID test
Next article European MotoGP: Miller tops wet FP1, Quartararo slowest

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global