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Independent’s day: Gerloff returns to the WorldSBK podium after Race 2 success

Sunday, 4 July 2021 16:00 GMT

    • The American moved back onto the rostrum after a challenging start to the 2021 campaign with a fine second place at Donington Park

    It was a welcome return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship podium for American Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) as he claimed second place in Race 2 at Donington Park for the Prosecco DOC UK Round after starting from fifth on the grid as he claimed his best result of the 2021 season.

    As his native United States of America enjoyed a national holiday on July 4th to mark Independence Day, Gerloff was able to celebrate in almost the best possible way as he returned to the WorldSBK podium for the first time since the Tissot Superpole Race at MotorLand Aragon in May. Gerloff had to pass Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Leon Haslam (Team HRC) on track but was able to take advantage of Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) making a rare error to claim second place.

    After Saturday, when Gerloff felt he “threw away” the chance of a podium after crashing out from the podium contention, the American was able to bounce back on Sunday in perfect fashion as he returned to the podium, finishing just over two seconds behind race winner Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK).

    Reflecting on a rollercoaster weekend, Gerloff said: “The weekend started off so well, I was so pumped. The race didn’t start my way like yesterday, but I got a third place. For sure, I threw away a podium yesterday, which is frustrating, but I just have to put it behind me and start over again. It was nice to at least maintain my position in the Tissot Superpole Race and I felt good with the bike. It was awesome that the rain held off for the last race because it looked like it was definitely coming!”

    After having to learn the Circuito de Navarra and Donington Park for WorldSBK in recent weeks, Gerloff will head into the upcoming Prosecco DOC Dutch Round with knowledge of the TT Circuit Assen following his MotoGP™ debut at the Dutch circuit but Gerloff isn’t resting on his laurels ahead of the next round.

    He added: “The track is amazing, but I know it’s going to feel completely different on a Superbike but at least I know where to go left and where to go right! I feel like, for sure, it’s going to be nice to go there on a Superbike. To go back there on a bike I know, I think, should be a good weekend.”

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