Gerloff 'super excited' for Aragon WorldSBK test, being on R1 'will be awesome'

Garrett Gerloff and Kohta Nozane look ahead to their first pre-season WorldSBK test of 2022 which takes place at MotorLand Aragon on March 3-4. 

The Spanish test will also mark the first time that both riders are back aboard their Yamaha R1 machines since the 2021 season finale in Mandalika, and event that saw Gerloff end his season with a sixth and 11th place finish, while Nozane secured a P15 in race one before taking seventh in race two. 

"I am super excited to get back on my Yamaha R1 after four months off the bike," said Gerloff. "It was way too long and I am hoping for good weather even though it is not looking the best. 

"Anyway just being again on the bike will be awesome and I cannot wait to see the whole GRT team, my extended family, again!"

The Aragon test has been organised solely by Yamaha as Gerloff and Nozane will be joined by world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, team-mate Andrea Locatelli and Christophe Ponsson, with only Isaac Vinales not representing the Japanese manufacturer. 

For Nozane, 2022 could be a crucial season in the 26 year-old’s young WorldSBK career. 

While the switch to the world championship proved to be a tricky one for the 2021 rookie, glimpses of potential were still shown on several occasions, suggesting Nozane could be a regular top ten finisher should he find a more consistent level of performance. 

Speaking ahead of his first on-track action of the year, Nozane added: "I am thrilled to start this new season. My first year in World Superbike was not easy but I learned a lot and I am ready for 2022 championship. 

"We will begin our campaign from Aragon and first of all we will regain confidence with the R1 and plan the job with my crew. I cannot wait to see the team again after a long time."