GARRETT GERLOFF SIGNS WITH PUCCETTI KAWASAKI IN WORLDSBK

While Bonovo Action BMW will end their time in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the end of this season, one of their riders has secured a ride for 2025. Garrett Gerloff has signed with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing for next year, replacing Tito Rabat.

Additionally, Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, who are one of the independent teams on the WorldSBK grid, will become the ‘official’ Kawasaki entry next season. This follows the Kawasaki Racing Team’s rebranding as Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, which will come into effect in 2025.

Gerloff will go to Kawasaki Puccetti Racing after two seasons with Bonovo Action BMW and three with GRT Yamaha WorldSBK before that. To date, the American’s best race results have been on the Yamaha with six podiums, but no wins. On the BMW, Gerloff took his first WorldSBK pole in 2023 and has a best race finish (at time of writing) of third, achieved at Magny-Cours. In last year's WorldSBK Championship, Gerloff was the top-placed BMW rider.

Fans mixing it up with Garrett Gerloff - Photo: Russell Colvin

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, who have achieved two World Supersport championships and are celebrating 20 years of racing with Kawasaki machinery, will provide Gerloff with a works 2024-spec Ninja ZX-10RR for the 2025 WorldSBK season.

“I can only say this is a dream come true,” said Team Principal, Manuel Puccetti of his team’s elevation to official status. “Rest assured we will do our best to fulfill the ambitions of Ninja fans across the world in the coming season. We are truly honoured.”

Kawasaki say they are happy for Puccetti to continue to fly the Ninja ZX-10RR flag beyond this season, with Shigemi Tanaka, GM Marketing & Sales Division, saying it was a logical decision, given their long association with the Italian-based team.

“For Kawasaki, it’s important to maintain a presence in WorldSBK with our Ninja brand,” Tanaka said. “With our support for Kawasaki Puccetti, and via the transfer on loan of our factory Ninja ZX-10RR race assets, we can publicly show our appreciation of Kawasaki Puccetti Racing and be confident that the Ninja brand will continue to play a significant role in the WorldSBK paddock.”