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Gerloff Makes Breakthrough in Bike Setup at Portimao
Garrett Gerloff took a significant step forward in understanding his Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-10RR on Sunday at Portimao, securing 12th place in Race Two and adding more WorldSBK championship points to his tally.
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve hosted two WorldSBK races on Sunday, March 30—first, a ten-lap Superpole Race, followed by a scheduled 20-lap Race Two.
After finishing 16th in the Superpole Race, Gerloff discovered a new approach to riding his Ninja ZX-10RR. This not only boosted his pace but also unlocked new setup possibilities for the remainder of the season.
Race Two was red-flagged at the halfway mark due to track conditions, leading to a shortened 11-lap restart with full championship points still on offer. Starting from 17th, Gerloff steadily improved his bike control and race position, ultimately finishing 12th. His performance earned him four more championship points, bringing him to 16th place in the overall standings.
With the Portimao round wrapped up, the WorldSBK paddock now shifts its focus to the highly anticipated Assen round in the Netherlands, scheduled for April 11-13.
Reflecting on the weekend, Garrett Gerloff shared: “I’m feeling a lot happier at the end of Sunday than I was yesterday. I figured out some key things on the bike that made a big difference, and in Race Two, I was able to go much faster than before. We’re still not where we want to be, but I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. Before, it felt pretty tough. Thanks to the team and everyone who came out to support us. We’ll push again in Assen in two weeks.”