News

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) will remain atop Kawasaki’s ZX-10RR Ninja next season as the American and the Japanese manufacturer look to keep building continuity together. After riding his 2024 season on BMW machinery, it was announced in the offseason that Gerloff would inherit the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team project as contemporary riders Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) would be moving to race with Bimota in the manufacturer’s first season back in the competition. Since then, he has not been quite as fast as he has been in seasons past, but the #31 is showing clear signs of progress as he  continues to whittle down his times and acclimate himself to his new settings. Now with the assurance of his immediate future assured, the 29-year-old will look to continue his upward trajectory.

The American rider distinguished himself stateside, winning back-to-back MotoAmerica Supersport Championships in 2016 and 2017. Earning a spot in the 2020 WorldSBK grid, he has since raced with Yamaha and BMW before his most recent move to Kawasaki, accruing eight podiums in that time.

On the renewal, Gerloff said: “I am very happy to have signed again with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season. I have been confident in the team and everything we have been doing. We are moving forward, even if it has been tough at times. I am happy with the team, the progress that we have made in the first half of the season, and their belief in me. They have been great at not putting undue pressure on me. I can see that they believe in the project, and they also believe in me. We all want to keep investing and developing the bike. I am excited to build on what I have come to know about the Ninja ZX-10RR. It’s going to be nice to continue with the same project, the same people, and while not having to re-learn anything fundamental. For 2026, I am sure that is going to be positive for us.”

Team Manager Manuel Puccetti was similarly enthusiastic about their agreement, saying: “It is a pleasure to continue to work with Garrett because, for us, he is a real top rider, the same level as the front guys. I think we will have better and better results. Our collaboration started this year, together with our new Kawasaki supported team, in WorldSBK. This achievement makes me incredibly proud. It is also a big responsibility to do our best for a wonderful brand that we have worked with for more than 20 years, in one form or another. We have continuously improved with Garrett this year, and I am quite positive that for next year, we will make a good step and have better and better results. We are super-pleased to work with Garrett as he is such a nice guy. I saw in the history of Kawasaki’s collaboration with new riders that they only improve in their speed, progression, and performance.”

Catch Gerloff next time out at Donington July 11th-13th! Tune in with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now half off!