Garrett Gerloff

Garrett Gerloff began his motorcycle racing career in 2007 when he competed in the Western Eastern Roadracing Association (WERA). After winning the Superbike title and finishing second in the Superstock class on a Yamaha R6 in 2010/11, Gerloff then moved into the AMA Daytone Sportbike Championship (2012). 

Gerloff then made his MotoAmerica debut in the 2015 Supersport class where he finished third overall, which was then followed by back-to-back title wins in 2016 and 17. 

After making his MotoAmerica Superbike debut in 2018, Gerloff took four wins in just his second season before earning a move to WorldSBK with GRT Yamaha. 

An impressive rookie season in 2020 saw him claim three podiums and an 11th place championship finish, before the American improved to seventh in 2021 and in the process won the independent riders’ title.

Although the 2021 season was an up-and-down year in terms of consistency and pace, Gerloff was still called upon to replace Franco Morbidelli in MotoGP after the Italian suffered a knee injury in Le Mans.

While it was Gerloff's second appearance at a MotoGP race weekend - the first was in 2020 when he replaced Valentino Rossi for one day in Valencia - it was the first in which he completed the weekend from start to finish as he claimed 17th at Assen. 

Despite Rossi being able to return on the Saturday due to receiving a negative COVID-19 test, Gerloff had already impressive many in the MotoGP paddock which then began rumours of the 26 year-old being a potential option for 2022.

With no American rider in the premier class which is currently still the case, a jump acorss to MotoGP for 2022 would have been an appealing move for both Gerloff and Petronas Yamaha (now called RNF Yamaha) at the time.

However, Gerloff was one of the first WorldSBK rider's to commit his future beyond the 2021 campaign as he's currently contracted to GRT Yamaha until the end of 2022. While a switch to MotoGP now looks unlikely especially due to his dip in form and Yamaha very much focused on WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, a big year for the Texas-born rider could see him back in contention for a top WorldSBK ride at the very least. 

Following another tough 2022 season where glimpses were shown by the American, Gerloff and Yamaha brought their relationship to an end as the former MotoAmerica rider instead signed with BMW.

Gerloff will partner Loris Baz at the Bonovo Action BMW team as he replaces new team manager Eugene Laverty.