Garrett Gerloff r♈ecovered from an early crash at turn 13 to claim seventh place in the final WorldSBK race of the opening round in Ara𝓡gon. 

The American was running second behind championship leader Jonathan Rea and lining 🅰up a move for the lead during the opening laps. 

But as the pair arrived into turn 13, Gerloff was unable to stop his R1 and had to avoid hit🉐ting the rear of Rea’s Kawasaki. Subsequently, it led to a rather late surge to the inside however, contact was still made as Gerloff lost the front after hitting Rea.

The six-time world champion us🐻ed his motocross skills to full effect as he managed to stay aboard h൲is Ninja ZR-10RR.  

It was not the o🎉utcome Gerloff would have been anticipating or hoping for after having taken his firsꦉt podium of 2021 in the Superpole race.

Speaking about both races, the GRT Yamaha man added: "Our Sunday started off really well with a t🍰hird place in the Superpole Race. The team and I made a perfect decision to go with the intermediate tyre, and it worked." 

"It was nice to be on the podium, even though I felt like I could have gotten second place. In Race 2 I felt really good since the start, and wanted to at least fight for the podium, so I’m ve🦄𝓰ry frustrated with the mistake I made. 

"I was behind Johnny (Rea), but I couldn’t stop as quickly as he did, a💎nd🌠 my options were either to hit him in the back or to get to his inside and hopefully miss him, so that’s what I tried to do. 

"Unfortunately I still ran into him, but at least he was able to stay on two 🍰wheels. I crashed, but I managed to pick up the bike right away and keep going. It was a bit bent, but overall the bike was goo𒐪d, so I tried to give the team the best possible result despite the mistake. 

"It was nice to be the top independent rider at the finish. Next week we go to Estoril, a tr𝕴ack that both I and my R1 really like, so see you there."