Gerloff on standby to replace Valentino Rossi at Valencia

GRT Yamaha WorldSBK rider Garrett Gerloff (and not factory MotoGP test rider Jorge Lorenzo) has been put on standby to replace Valentino Rossi at this weekend's Valencia MotoGP.

Gerloff will step in if the Italian, who missed both Aragon rounds due to a positive Covid test, does not receive the required pair of negative PCR test results ahead of the Valencia weekend.

Valentino Rossi, French MotoGP race. 11 October 2020
Valentino Rossi, French MotoGP race. 11 October 2020
© Gold and Goose
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK rider Garrett Gerloff (and not factory MotoGP test rider Jorge Lorenzo) has been put on standby to replace Valentino Rossi at this weekend's Valencia MotoGP.

Gerloff will step in if the Italian, who missed both Aragon rounds due to a positive Covid test, does not receive the required pair of negative PCR test results ahead of the Valencia weekend.

And he could well be needed since Rossi‘s latest PCR test, on Tuesday 3rd November, came back with another positive result for Covid-19.

Nevertheless, today (Wednesday 4th November) the Italian will undergo a new test. Should he test negative, Rossi would still have enough time to complete the required second PCR test and fly to Valencia.

But should Rossi be deemed 'unfit' to ride in Valencia, Gerloff will be backed by the #46's usual crew for his very first riding experience aboard a YZR-M1.

Rossi is now the only Yamaha rider no longer in title contention, with team-mate Maverick Vinales third in the world championship, 19 points from Suzuki's Joan Mir and sandwiched between the Petronas Yamahas of Fabio Quartararo (-14 points) and Franco Morbidelli (-25 points).

Valencia is hosting two back-to-back MotoGP rounds, followed by the Portimao finale.

Garrett Gerloff takes third in Superpole, Estoril WorldSBK 2020
Garrett Gerloff takes third in Superpole, Estoril WorldSBK 2020
© Gold and Goose

Gerloff finished 11th as a rookie in this year's WorldSBK standings, celebrating three podiums.

"I‘m so honoured that Yamaha has considered me for this opportunity," Gerloff said. "This year has already been quite the adventure, and this would be the cherry on top. It‘s been a dream of mine to ride the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike since I started racing so many years ago, and to potentially have it happen is really exciting.

"But I am just sorry to get this opportunity under these unfortunate circumstances for Valentino. I feel really bad for him and I hope that he recovers soon, we all miss the number 46 on track! All the best to him.

"If I do end up riding this weekend, it will be an uphill battle not knowing the bike, tyres, brakes, etc. Also, I have never been to the Valencia track before. But I‘m confident in myself and ready for the challenge! Thanks to all at Yamaha. Bring it on!"

Revised 2020 MotoGP Calendar (including free weekends)

Round

Date

Race

Circuit

1

19 July

Spain

Jerez

2

26 July

Andalusia

Jerez

 

2 August

 

 

3

9 August

Czech Republic

Brno

4

16 August

Austria

Red Bull Ring

5

23 August

Styria

Red Bull Ring

 

30 August

  
 

6 September

  

6

13 September

San Marino e Della Riviera di Rimini

Misano

7

20 September

Emilia Romagna e Della Riviera di Rimini

Misano

8

27 September

Catalunya

Barcelona

 

4 October

  

9

11 October

France

Le Mans

10

18 October

Aragon

Aragon

11

25 October

Teruel

Aragon

 

1 November

  

12

8 November

Europe

Ricardo Tormo

13

15 November

Comunitat Valenciana

Ricardo Tormo

14

22 November

Portugal

Portimao

MotoGP 2020: List of Cancelled events

1

8 March

Qatar (MotoGP class)

Losail

2

31 May

Italy

Mugello

3

21 June

Germany

Sachsenring

4

28 June

Netherlands

Assen

5

12 July

Finland

KymiRing

6

30 August

Great Britain

Silverstone

7

4 October

Thailand

Buriram

8

18 October

Japan

Motegi

9

25 October

Australia

Phillip Island

10

1 November

Malaysia

Sepang

11

15 November

Americas

COTA

12

22 November

Argentina

Termas de Rio Hondo

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