Will Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki) break the Superpole curse at Magny-Cours?

Before the Kawasaki works team set off for the restart of the 2026 Superbike World Championship at Magny-Cours, the team led by Manuel Puccetti completed a test in Cremona. The aim was not only to help Garrett Gerloff and the two Supersport aces, Jeremy Alcoba and Dominique Aegerter, get back into the swing of things, but also to prepare them for their home race from 25 to 27 September.

Conditions at the Cremona Circuit, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, were fortunately similar to those expected this coming weekend in France.

“It was a very positive two-day test, during which we resumed our racing activities in the best possible way after this long summer break,” said the team principal. “The riders quickly regained a feel for their motorbikes and, together with their technicians, not only worked on preparations for the next round at Magny-Cours but also gathered valuable data for the tenth round, which will take place here in Cremona in about a month’s time. I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved and am looking forward with confidence to our next outing in France.”

For Gerloff, the aim in the final four races of the season is to secure his eighth place in the World Championship. The Texan comes out of the almost two-month summer break with 110 points; close behind are Álvaro Bautista (107 pts/Ducati) and Miguel Oliveira (106 pts/BMW). The chance to move up the standings is practically gone – he trails seventh-placed Lorenzo Baldassarri (Ducati) by a whopping 35 points.

“I’m quite happy with what we’ve achieved over these two days in Cremona,” said Gerloff confidently. “I’d like to thank the team for organising this test, which has allowed me to get back on my bike and prepare well for the weekend at Magny-Cours. I’m ready and really looking forward to racing again.”

At the Circuit de Nevers in 2023, Gerloff delivered his best qualifying performance when he set the fastest lap on a BMW and secured his only pole position. Superpole is the Kawasaki rider’s major weakness; this year, he has only managed to qualify on row two once.