WSB: Garrett Gerloff and Kohta Nozane unveil 2022 GRT Yamaha livery

Garrett Gerloff and Kohta Nozane have revealed the 2022 GRT Yamaha World Superbike livery ahead of their two-day test in Barcelona.

GRT Yamaha are the third team to unveil their new colours this week, following in the footsteps of Kawasaki and the factory Yamaha squad. Gerloff and Nozane remain as teammates for a second consecutive season.

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The new design features the new lighter blue accents found on the factory, as well as the traditional Yamaha blue and dashes of black and white. This year’s bike also includes significant Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing branding, with GYTR also included in the team’s name.

Gerloff and Nozane led the team to the Best Independent Team award last season. 2022 is Gerloff’s third in the championship, with the American ending last season seventh overall. Gerloff recorded three podiums and, after a mid-season dip, found some consistency towards the end of the year.

Gerloff, who was crowned 2021 Independent Rider of the Year, is now targeting his first race victory and regular podium finishes.

“I’m so glad I only had to wait 24 hours between seeing the new bikes for the first time and them being shown to the public,” Gerloff said. “I couldn’t have kept it a secret much longer than that! The colour scheme and the graphics are incredible, they’ve outdone themselves.

“I’m very excited to ride the new GRT GYTR Yamaha WorldSBK Team R1 on track here in Barcelona. We’re still going through our pre-season campaign in preparation for the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship, and test after test we’re gaining confidence to be ready for the first round in Aragòn. Just two weeks left until the lights go out and I cannot wait for a new beginning with my amazing team!”

Nozane ended his rookie campaign 14th overall, securing a best result of seventh in the final race of the year at the Mandalika Street Circuit. The Japanese rider went into his maiden season with not knowing much about the majority of circuits.

“I didn’t lie when I said that the new bikes and leathers were definitely something worth waiting for,” Nozane said. “We’re finally underway with the new GRT GYTR Yamaha WorldSBK Team and it couldn’t be much better than this. We’re getting ready for the beginning of the 2022 WorldSBK season and I want to prove what I’m capable of after my rookie campaign.”

Gerloff and Nozane will take part in a private two-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on March 25-26. The final official WSB test takes place at Aragon on April 4-5, with the Spanish circuit also hosting the season opener on April 8-10.