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Short but intense, that’s how Garrett Gerloff’s experience in the MotoGP could be described. The American rider learned that he could have been replacing Valentino in Valencia on the M1 on Monday. He arrived on the circuit, found an unknown track (like the MotoGP) under the rain, and didn’t back down. He definitely showed that he had talent and intelligence. He was fast and made no mistakes.
“How much did I like it? I’m still smiling,” the rider from Texas said jokingly. “It was great, the bike is amazing. In some ways, it resembles the R1, but everything is on another level. It’s nice to feel the power, the speed of shifting, and then the brakes, the tires. There are so many differences, and they’re all positive. I smiled at every lap.”
But Garrett also knew he couldn't make mistakes and had to bring Yamaha back to the pits safe and sound.
“I’d be telling a lie if I said that I wasn't thinking that I was on Valentino’s bike,” he explained. “But I didn’t know he was in the garage during the FP2s. When I saw him, he told me I had done a good job and thanked me for taking care of his bike. I’m glad I didn’t cause any problems. I didn’t want to upset the GOAT, the greatest rider of all time,” he said smiling.
Certainly Gerloff had fun and was also able to get an idea of the potential of a MotoGP. But, unfortunately it was just for one day, because Rossi will return to his bike tomorrow after having tested negative for the Coronavirus, even with a second swab.
“The difference with the SBK is not huge, not as big as I expected,” he explained. “It’s all the details that make a big difference. I was sorry there weren’t two rounds in the same conditions, in order to gain more confidence. On dry, I still had some margin, I only felt at the limit when I passed the puddles.”
The American rider hopes that this is only a good-bye and not a farewell to the M1.
“I don’t know if I’ll get a second chance. I’d love to and cross my fingers,” he said. “I’ll surely never forget this experience, I really enjoyed it. Of course I’ll be staying in Valencia this weekend to support the team.”
