Podcast: What Rossi's replacement choice says about Lorenzo
Yamaha has lined up World Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff as a replacement for Valentino Rossi should he be unable to race in the MotoGP European Grand Prix due to COVID-19.

Rossi missed the Aragon double-header after catching the virus and failed a COVID-19 test on Tuesday, forcing Yamaha to line up a replacement should he also test positive on Wednesday.
Gerloff rode an R1 for the GRT Yamaha WSBK team in his debut season in the series in 2020, scoring three podiums. Given this weekend will mark his MotoGP debut, it has raised questions as to why Yamaha's official test rider Jorge Lorenzo was not given the nod.
From the editor, also read:
With the triple MotoGP world champion admitting last week he is speaking to Aprilia as well as Yamaha about a test rider role in 2021, does this latest snub – after Yamaha elected against fielding him last month at the Teruel GP – suggest Lorenzo will indeed part ways with the Japanese marque at the end of the year?
This is the main topic of discussion in this week's Tank Slappers podcast with Autosport's Lewis Duncan and Motorsport.com's Oriol Puigdemont.
The guys also preview the upcoming European GP in Valencia, which kicks off the final triple-header of the campaign and the first round of the championship showdown between Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Vinales, Franco Morbidelli, Andrea Dovizioso and Alex Rins.
Just 32 points covers the six riders with 75 up for grabs across the Valencia/Portugal triple-header.

Previous article
Yamaha names Rossi's standby for European GP
Next article
Lecuona ruled out of European GP due to quarantine rules

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Podcast: What Rossi's replacement choice says about Lorenzo
Trending
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title