On day two of the Italian round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Cremona Circuit in San Martino del Lago, Italy, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and four-time Superbike race winner Garrett Gerloff fought through the hot and humid weather conditions to score an important championship point aboard his Kawasaki WorldSBK Team Ninja ZX-10RR.

After ending up 18th-fastest in Saturday morning’s Superpole Qualifying session, the Texan started Race 1 from the sixth row of the grid, which added yet another challenge to his day.

As Gerloff and his team continue to improve the race performance of his Green Machine, Saturday afternoon’s 23-lap opening race enabled the Double-G to move up in the pack and cross the finish line in 15th.

“Saturday was frustrating because I don’t feel like things are going horribly, as the feeling with the bike is getting better,” Gerloff said. “I am also learning how to ride the bike better and better. I don’t think the results are reflecting the improvements we are making. I am starting to understand a lot more how to race the bike. I think that can be an advantage for Sunday, I hope. I just need more laps and a better starting position, so those are two things to work on.”

On Sunday, race action gets underway at Cremona with the 10-lap Superpole race in the morning and the second and final 23-lap Race 2 in the afternoon.