Back To The Future: Garrett Gerloff Cleared To Begin Riding Again For Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha

2012-07-05 21:01
After receiving the necessary medical clearance from his doctors, 16-year-old phenom Garrett Gerloff will return to riding, then racing, his #8 Yamaha YZF-R6 for the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team. The announcement was made by Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha.

Garrett, who fractured the femur in his right leg during the first practice session for the Daytona 200 this past March, has been rehabbing the injury and training hard for his comeback.

“After consulting with Garrett and his family, and also hearing what Garrett’s doctors had to say about his return to riding a motorcycle,” McCarty said, “it was decided that the time is right for Garrett to get back on board his #8 R6.”

Despite the injury, Garrett has attended every round of the AMA Pro Racing season. “He’s a total team player,” commented McCarty. “He’s been meeting fans, signing posters, and helping out the team in all sorts of different ways. We’re looking forward to seeing both Garrett and his career back on track.”

As part of his return to form, Garrett will be participating in a couple of track days to test his fitness and sharpen his riding skills. Then, after consulting with McCarty and the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team, he’ll return to racing this season at a yet-to-be-determined round.

Obviously overjoyed with the news, Garrett said, “I’ve been waiting almost four months to get back on my R6, so I’m really excited about it. The track days that I’m attending are going to be great. I’ll be riding at one this weekend, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

When asked what he’s been doing, training-wise, during his rehab, Garrett said, “I’ve been doing a ton of cycling, which has been great for both my legs, not to mention the cardio. In fact, with all the training I’ve been doing, I’m actually in better shape now than I was before I broke my leg. I’m planning to come back stronger than ever.”

Last year, shortly after turning 16, Garrett made his AMA Pro Racing debut at New Jersey Motorsports Park in September. Garrett earned the provisional pole in Friday’s first qualifying season, and then he won his first-ever professional race the very next day in Saturday’s SuperSport race at NJMP.

Follow the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams on Facebook for more news, information, and other announcements.

Source: Yamaha Motor Corporation

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story