Kawasaki Puccetti Not Ruling Out Second KRT Ninja ZX-10RR Superbike

Saajan Jogia | Aug 10, 2024

Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, #31 BMW M 1000 RR, Garrett Gerloff (USA) | BMW Press Image /

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing founder Manuel Puccetti has provided details about the new team setup following the announcement that his team will officially represent Kawasaki in WorldSBK starting in 2025, with Bonovo action BMW rider Garrett Gerloff signed for the upcoming season. While the initial report suggested that Puccetti would function as a one-bike outfit, Manuel has not ruled out the possibility of having a second KRT Ninja ZX-10RR.

Puccetti clarified that the team will most likely operate as a single-bike outfit. However, a final decision on whether to add a second bike will be made following consultations with Kawasaki Europe's Japanese management this weekend. Speaking to the media, he said:

“At the moment, one is fixed, 99 percent it will only be one bike.

“But this weekend with the top Japanese management from within Kawasaki Europe we will discuss the possibility of a second bike or not. Who knows, we will see, we will see. 99 percent we will ride with one bike, but we will see.”

Puccetti's team has recently experienced a significant boost as being designated the official Kawasaki entry in WorldSBK. Speaking on the achievement, Puccetti added:

“We are very happy about this news. We have worked 20 years with Kawasaki and now the time has arrived to represent this manufacturer in the two main classes (WorldSBK and WorldSSP) in the World Championship.

“Data we have had already, all this season as this year we ride with a complete factory bike and we have had all the data from Kawasaki, all the data every weekend to try and improve ourselves.”

In addition, Gerloff’s signing with Puccetti for the 2025 season bolsters the team's prospects of advancing in the sport.

Gerloff’s future came under speculation when the Bonovo team announced in June that it would withdraw from the championship at the end of the current season. This development created links between Puccetti and Gerloff, eventually escalating into a full-time contract.

The 29-year-old rider debuted in WSBK in 2020 with Yamaha's GRT team, quickly making an impact by securing three podiums in his rookie season. Over the following two years with Yamaha, he further demonstrated his talent by adding three more podium finishes to his record.

Speaking to WorldSBK.com, Gerloff said in a statement:

"I am really excited to have an opportunity to stay in World Superbikes for next year.

"Especially with them (Puccetti) it seems like a really good opportunity for both of us, I am going to do my best like I always do. I am confident from what I have seen from the other guys riding the bike now that we can do a good job. I will be with new people so they need to get to know me and I need to get to know them. But I am confident."