Overview
- Gerloff agreed the one-year contract extension on Friday to remain with Kawasaki’s official WorldSBK effort through the end of the 2027 season and will continue to race the factory Ninja ZX-10RR.
- The American has shown clear progress since joining Kawasaki in 2024, moving from 15th in his first season to recording six top-six finishes in 2026 and sitting tenth in the championship with a best Kawasaki result of fourth at Most.
- Team principal Manuel Puccetti described the deal as the third consecutive year of their partnership and praised Gerloff’s talent and character while Kawasaki Europe race planning manager Steve Guttridge highlighted measurable bike and team performance gains.
- Kawasaki framed the early renewal, announced during its home round at Misano, as a sign of the manufacturer’s continued commitment to WorldSBK and to ongoing development work on the Ninja ZX-10RR ahead of the Michelin tyre change.
- Puccetti said the team is discussing a possible two-bike expansion with Kawasaki Japan and expects to clarify plans by the end of next month, a development that could add resources and a second top rider if confirmed.