The team’s Texan rider was eighth in the morning free practice session, and ended up ninth overall after the best lap times from FP1 and FP2 were combined. A full twenty-three WorldSBK riders took part in Friday’s track action.

Gerloff and his technical crew were keen to start this weekend in the best possible fashion with their Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR machine, to maximise their chances of qualifying and racing well. At the end of day one, Garrett’s best lap time was 0.689 seconds from the fastest pace.

Saturday hosts a short FP3 session, then Superpole Qualifying, and a 23-lap Race One. The ten-lap Tissot Superpole Race and a second 23-lap race will take place on Sunday, July 12, before the start of a long summer break.

Garrett Gerloff stated: “Donington was hot on the first day and it was actually a really good day. I am happy with how the team and I are working together with the Ninja ZX-10RR. We had two decent sessions inside the top ten, and I felt better at the end of the second session, so I think that should prove to be good for us tomorrow. We will make some more changes tonight and then we will show up on Saturday ready to go.”