23-year-old Caricasulo from Ravenna, Italy, is currently racing in the 2019 FIM Supersport World Championship for his third consecutive season. He has already accumulated a total of nine podium finishes from twelve races. Among them, three were race wins. He is currently placed second in the championship standings.

Gerloff, on the other hand, was crowned the MotoAmerica Supersport Champion in 2016 and 2017. He subsequently joined the Yamaha Factory Superbike Team in 2018 and won a podium finish in his debut.

Federico Caricasulo

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“For me, this is a dream come true. To have the chance to step up to WorldSBK is already fantastic, but to have the opportunity to do so with Yamaha and in a team that I know well is just incredible. I grew up as a racer as part of the GRT Yamaha team. I realised my potential on the world stage with them. So I’m excited to go back and start this new adventure,” says Caricasulo as quoted from Yamaha Racing.

“But for now, I need to put this to one side and focus on the final race of the season in the Supersport class. I am second in the championship, just eight points off the lead. So it’s still all to play for at the final round. Nothing would make me happier than stepping up to WorldSBK as the reigning Supersport World Champion. That’s exactly what we’ll be aiming for in Qatar next week.”

Garret Gerloff

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of doing and something that I’ve been preparing for, and I feel like I’m ready to do. I really appreciate Yamaha Europe giving me the opportunity to be that guy. As in to be one of the guys, to represent them and try to go get good results. I also want to say a big thanks to Ben Spies for really helping me out the past few months. He helped me get my name out there and really pushing for me. I have a lot of goals that I really want to accomplish next year, and I know that with the team’s help and the Yamaha R1 that I’ll have a great opportunity of reaching them. I know this isn’t going to be easy, but I never give up. I’m ready to push myself and continue chasing my dream!”

Andrea Dosoli (Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager)

Michael van der Mark – 2019 WSBK | Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“I’m happy to welcome Federico and Garrett to our WorldSBK program. Both have earned this opportunity through their achievements aboard Yamaha machinery in two very different championships. Both are young, talented and able to succeed in the premier production class. Yamaha is fully committed to helping them realise their true potential during the 2020 season. Federico and Garrett will both ride for the retitled GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team. Having benefitted from running the vastly experienced Marco Melandri this year, it is ready to fulfil this strategic role within Yamaha’s rider development program under the direction of Team Manager, Filippo Conti. I wish both riders every success for the 2020 season, as they embark on their WorldSBK debut season.”