Garrett Gerloff "Down" And "Under" At Phillip Island Circuit In Australia

For American rider Garrett Gerloff, it was not the start to the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship that he and his official factory Kawasaki WorldSBK Team had hoped for. *Photo courtesy of Kawasaki WorldSBK Team.*

“Down Under” is an age-old reference to the continent of Australia because, of course, it’s located in the Southern Hemisphere of the big, blue marble we call “Earth.” But, unfortunately for former MotoAmerica champion and Superbike race winner Garrett Gerloff, his debut as the lone rider for the official factory Kawasaki WorldSBK Team at Phillip Island Circuit in round one of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship was “down” and “under”. “Down” as in the crashes and mechanical issues during the Free Practice sessions and early races, and “under” as in the expectations that the Texan and his new team had going into the opening round after a mostly successful series of preseason tests.

Mechanical woes and crashes conspired against Gerloff and his team. *Photo courtesy of Kawasaki WorldSBK Team.*

Enduring the adversity, Gerloff was involved in a tight battle for position in Sunday’s Race Two with ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s Michael van der Mark, which came down to the final lap, final corner, and final run down the main straight to the checkered flag. GG31 prevailed over van der Mark for 13th place, securing three championship points to conclude the weekend on a little bit of a high note.

In the 10-lap Superpole Race earlier in the day on Sunday, the Double-G was in the midfield mix at the start, but he was taken out by another rider in turn four. Gerloff remounted and tried to finish the race, but a technical issue forced him to pull off the track.

Things finally came around for Gerloff in Sunday’s Race Two, and he notched three points towards the championship. *Photo courtesy of official factory Kawasaki WorldSBK Team.*

“Honestly, it was kind of horrible weekend, and I feel really bad for the team and everyone,” Gerloff said. “We are all giving our best but, sometimes, if you just don’t have luck on your side, let’s say, it doesn’t matter how hard you work. It was unfortunate that I had (Honda HRC rider Tetsuta) Nagashima crash into me in the Superpole Race, and I couldn’t finish. Then, I just had no speed in Race Two. We finished in the points, but far from the win. I am giving everything. Thanks to the team for all their hard work and we will try again next time.”

Gerloff leaves Australia in 15th place in the championship standings. The next race weekend takes place at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal, on March 28 through 30.