Garrett Gerloff switches to BMW for 2023 World Superbikes
The USA will retain a representative in the 2023 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, with Garrett Gerloff staying in the series, but switching to a new team.
Since he joined World Superbikes (WSBK) in 2020 after multiple MotoAmerica Superbike race wins and MotoAmerica Supersport championships in 2016 and 2017, Gerloff has ridden exclusively for GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK, but will depart that team at the end of this season to join Loris Baz at Bonovo Action BMW. Bonovo’s current second rider, Eugene Laverty, will move to a non-riding role within the team.
Gerloff’s place in the satellite Yamaha squad is being taken by Australia’s Remy Gardner, who joins WSBK after eight years in grand prix competition, including the 2021 Moto2 World Championship and MotoGP this year.
The first major rider move ahead of the 2023 season, Gerloff’s switch to Bonovo Action was confirmed on 15 September and will be followed by other announcements as teams look to lock in riders for next year.
Since joining GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK, Gerloff has been competitive, with podium finishes each season (including a second at Portimao in 2020), but has yet to take a race win. In his second year in the series, Gerloff was the best of the non-factory riders and helped GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK clinch the Independent Teams’ Championship.
This year, Gerloff’s results have arguably dropped off, with only one podium at time of writing (a third place at Catalunya) and several retirements, but in the races he has completed, the 27-year-old Texan has finished inside the Top 10 on most occasions.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers welcomed Gerloff into the BMW family: “Howdy, and welcome to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family, Garrett Gerloff. We are thrilled to have Garrett on board from next season.
“We have followed his development over the past few years. He showed from the outset that he is fast and talented; he has now matured as a rider. We are confident that Garrett will fit very nicely into our squad of BMW Motorrad factory riders and will further strengthen our project. He will help the Bonovo Action BMW Racing Team to take the next step towards the top next season.”
In addition to a new team, Gerloff will have to adapt to new machinery next year in the BMW M1000RR, after having only ridden Yamahas before, including his time in MotoAmerica Supersport and Superbike.
