Tag Archives: Remy Gardner

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK YZF-R1M machines unveiled at Misano

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team


The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team have launched their latest Yamaha R1 machines ahead of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign, alongside the grand opening of the new GRT GRT Pro Shop at the Misano World circuit.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team unveiling
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team unveiling

Riders Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter enjoyed a positive WorldSBK debut in 2023, finishing the season on a high. Gardner progressed a lot throughout the 2023 season reaching also a remarkable first row in Most; in the season finale, and close to a career-first WorldSBK podium by crossing the line in fourth just a few tenths off the rostrum places.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

“We had a positive debut season, we kept progressing each round and understanding each other. I am confident we could have a strong 2024 together, we also had some productive test sessions throughout the winter. The goal is to stay regularly in the front places and improving every round, with the target of enjoying my career-first WorldSBK podium.”

Remy Gardner - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

Aegerter clinched two podiums in the final round, adding three front row qualifying performances to his tally in the meantime, including a stunning qualifier in his first race in Phillip Island.

Dominique Aegerter – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

“I cannot wait to begin the 2024 season! Unfortunately I was not able to take part at the test we had in January as I’m still recovering from the viral infection, but I am keen to enjoy the first round in Phillip Island. Last year we finished the Championship on a high note, the target is to keep improving and fight consistently for the front positions. I would like to be on the podium once again during the season and try to win my first WorldSBK race.”

Dominique Aegerter - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Dominique Aegerter – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

The GYTR GRT Yamaha duo is eager to pick up where they left off, with their target to keep improving at each round to allow them to fight at the front regularly during the season.

The team is delighted to welcome back several key partners, as well as introducing new ones for the 2024 campaign, who will be significant in the squad’s successes.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
Filippo Conti – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Principal

“We are all excited for a thrilling 2024 WorldSBK Season. Having Dominique and Remy with us for another season means we can keep progressing and pick up where we left off last season. Both had a positive rookie season, finishing the season on a very high, which give us a lot of confidence for the upcoming Championship, where we would like to fight regularly for the front places. I want to thank Yamaha for the great support they give us every year. In the same way, I’m keen to thank all the partners who will support us once again, as well as I’m delighted to welcome the new ones who will be crucial to the team’s results.”

Remy Gardner - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

GYTR GRT Yamaha will join the rest of the WorldSBK competitors for one final pre-season test at the Phillip Island Circuit (19-20 February) before the season’s first races get underway at the picturesque venue between 23-25 February.

Tickets for the 2024 season opener are on sale now, check out your options at www.worldsbk.com.au

2024 WorldSBK Dates

Date Circuit WSBK WSSP600 WSP300 WWSBK
23-25 Feb Phillip Island X X
22-24 Mar Catalunya X X X
19-21 Apr Assen X X X
14-16 Jun Misano X X X X
12-14 Jul Donington X X X
19-21 Jul Most X X X
9-11 Aug Algarve X X X X
23-25 Aug Balaton Park X X X
6-8 Sep  Magny-Cours X X X
20-22 Sep Cremona X X X
27-29 Sep Aragón X X X
18-20 Oct Jerez X X X X

Source: MCNews.com.au

FIM Gala celebrates 2020 and 2021 champions in Monaco

2021 FIM Gala celebrates two years of Champions

Images by Good-shoot


The 2021 FIM Gala was an extra special one, after the cancellation of the 2020 event due to Covid meant that this years running would celebrate two seasons of champions from all disciplines on two wheels, taking centre stage in the Principality of Monaco on Saturday night.

Australia’s Remy Gardner was one of those honoured, seen here alongside Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo

The six hundred strong audience included not only the biggest single gathering of FIM World Champions, but also representatives from the one hundred and fifteen national federations, motorcycling legends, various members of the FIM, championship promoters, manufacturer and team representatives, sponsors and other invited international guests.

2021 FIM MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and 2020 Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) were two key headliners at the event as they received their medals, celebrating the last two years of incredible MotoGP action and a first premier class title for each of them.

2021 FIM MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo

They were joined by 2021 FIM Moto2 World Champion Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo), 2020 Moto2 Champion Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama), 2021 FIM Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo); the rookie history maker, and 2020 Moto3 Champion Albert Arenas (Aspar Team) – uniting quite a gallery of Champions from the MotoGP paddock.

2020 Moto2 Champion Enea Bastianini

The winter break is now truly underway as we wait for the roaring engines to return at Sepang International Circuit for the Shakedown Test. There, Gardner will be the first back out as he takes part as a MotoGP rookie, before a few days later the likes of Quartararo, Mir and Bastianini suit up to begin their campaigns. Acosta, Arenas, Holgado and Guevara won’t be far behind them either as they get ready for more…

2021 FIM Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta

Amongst the many others present were WorldSBK sensation Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who took a stunning first WorldSBK crown in 2021, as well as 2020 and 2021 FIM Moto3 Junior World Champions Daniel Holgado and Izan Guevara. Holgado receives his medal ahead of his full-time debut in Moto3 on the world stage next season, where Guevara has already impressed to become a Grand Prix winner this year.

New 2021 FIM Trophies were also awarded: FIM Women in Motorcycling Trophy – Australian Women in Motorcycling Programme – MA (Australia) / FIM Environmental Trophy – A fast race towards sustainability – FMI (Italy) and FIM Family Trophy – Two-wheel Touring and Safety Riding Initiatives in Nepal – NASA (Nepal).

2021 FIM Awards Gala

Next up Speedway Legend Greg Hancock was on hand to present the medals in the Young Champions category which included 2020 and 2021 FIM Youth Enduro World Champions – Sergio Navarro and Albin Norrbin; 2021 FIM Speedway Youth World Champion – Oskar Paluch and 2021 FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion – Haakon Osterhagen.

Cross Country Rallies legend Cyril Despres stepped up to distribute the medals in the Off Road Champions category that included 2020 and 2021 FIM Women’s Trial World Champions – Emma Bristow and Laia Sanz; double FIM Flat Track World Champion – Lasse Kurvinen; 2021 FIM Sidecar Motocross Rider / Passenger World Champions Etienne Bax and Nicolas Musset; and twice FIM E1 Enduro World Champion – Andrea Verona.

2020-2021 Champions recognised at the FIM Gala

For the Circuit Racing category it was Road Racing Legend Franco Uncini who handed out the FIM gold medal which included 2021 FIM Sidecar Rider / Passenger World Champions – Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries; 2020 and 2021 FIM Supersport World Champions – Andrea Locatelli and Dominique Aegerter; and 2020 and 2021FIM Moto2 Grand Prix World Champions – Enea Bastianini and Remy Gardner.

The 2020 and 2021 Ultimate Champions were presented their medals by FIM President Jorge Viegas and Albert II, Prince of Monaco respectively. These included double FIM TrialGP World Champion – Toni Bou; FIM EnduroGP World Champions – Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman; FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Champions – Bartosz Zmarzlik and Artem Laguta; FIM MXGP Motocross World Champions – Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings; FIM Superbike World Champions – Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu; and FIM MotoGP Grand Prix World Champions – Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo.

FIM President Jorge Viegas and S.A.S. Albert II Prince of Monaco

The FIM President Jorge Viegas also had the honour of presenting the Team prizes that included 2020 and 2021 FIM Speedway of Nations winners – Russia and Great Britain; 2021 FIM Women’s Trial des Nations winners – Spain; 2021 FIM International Six Days’ Enduro World Trophy winners – Italy and 2021 FIM Motocross of Nations winners – Italy. Additionally, Mr Viegas presented the 2020 and 2021 FIM Promoter Legend awards to Giuseppe Luongo and Paul Bellamy respectively.

FIM President – Jorge Viegas

“Tonight has been a truly memorable occasion, after what everyone has lived through over the last two years it was wonderful to have the entire FIM family back together again and to finally celebrate all our 2020 and 2021 FIM World Champions at this wonderful venue in Monaco and in the presence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

Moto2: New Champion Aussie Remy Gardner Makes Dad Proud with History’s Second Father-Son Title

Aussie racer Remy Gardner, together with father Wayne Gardner, has just gone down in history as the second set to secure championships for Moto2. 

The report from ABC News states that Remy’s dad, Wayne Gardner, was world 500cc champ back in 1987 – a feat that has been since completed by others…just not by his offspring. 

Until now. 

Remy Gardner, racing to secure the Moto2 title

“There have definitely been some hard years,” Gardner jr. says at the press conference.

“Last year, I really managed to get my mind under control, which then led to everything kind of falling into place…I just tried to keep positive about everything.”

Remy Gardner with father Wayne Gardner - both of which are going down in history as the second father-son duo to secure championships for Moto2

“From 2015 to 2019, they were some really tough years for me and even some points where I honestly believed that it was the end of the road. Especially after the injuries — just fighting through that was incredibly difficult.”

Remy Gardner sporting broken. limbs as a result of his expertise on the Moto2 circuit

Stoner, commentating for BT Sport, saluted the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider, saying the following:

“Remy’s been through a hell of a lot the last few years — he’s had his critics, and I myself wasn’t sure where his talent levels were….but once you get with the right team and get the right people around you, he was really able to show what he’s capable of and his season’s been outstanding.”

BMW S1000RR on the company's production line

Remy Gardner, racing to secure the Moto2 title

It’s more than a little bit emotional for Remy, seeing as this is only the second time a father-son duo has completed the championship. 

“I can’t believe it. So many years of suffering, so many points in my career I just thought I’m not good enough, not going to make it, but I’ve made it happen, it’s a dream come true.” 

Remy Gardner, racing to secure the Moto2 title

Our hats off to the Gardners, and be sure to stick around for other news pertaining to MotoGP.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

Remy Gardner
2021 FIM Moto2 World Champion

Heading in to the Valencia finale with a 23-point advantage, the Australian needed to take a handful of points in the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana to wrap up the crown, and that he did with a tenth place finish. After an incredible season of consistency with 12 podiums, of which five have been victories, Gardner kept his nerve to the last to become a World Champion.

Remy Gardner
2021 FIM Moto2 World Champion

Son of 1987 500cc Champion Wayne Gardner, Remy Gardner started riding bikes early as he got his first motorcycle at the age of four. He began his career racing dirt track and long track, as a good few greats from Down Under have done before him, competing at state and national level in his native Australia.

Remy Gardner racing here with Matt Barton and Zac Zanesco – Image Keith Muir

He then switched to tarmac not long after, and his first international race came in late 2010 thanks to an invite from Honda Australia to compete at the NSF100 Trophy Worldwide Mini Bike race in Albacete, Spain. Later that same year, Gardner made his Australian road race debut at the iconic Phillip Island, winning the MRRDA Australian Nippers Championship.

Remy Gardner started his road racing in the MRRDA with brother Luca – Image Keith Muir

The next step in his career would prove crucial as Gardner travelled to Spain to compete in the pre-Moto3 class in the Mediterranean Championship in 2011. He came second overall, and that prefaced a full-time move to Spain for 2012. The Aussie has called the country home ever since.

Wayne and Remy Gardner on the grid at Jerez CEV Repsol in 2014

Gardner entered the Moto3 class in the CEV for the first time in 2012, finishing most races and scoring points in his debut season. In 2013 he made more progress, including taking his first top five finish at the Albacete round, and he remained in the Championship for 2014 and took another step forward, scoring points in every race he started bar one and taking his first podium.

Jorge Navarro in first, and Fabio Quartararo 2nd, Remy Gardner 3rd
Jorge Navarro in first, and Fabio Quartararo 2nd, Remy Gardner 3rd back when the young trio were in the CEV ranks in 2014

Gardner also made his Grand Prix debut that season, racing at Misano, Phillip Island and Sepang. His final appearance at the Malaysian Grand Prix provided a milestone as the Aussie scored his first World Championship point, finishing fifteenth. The move to the World Championship came full-time for 2015, and the NSW native finished the season 30th overall aboard a Mahindra – with his home Grand Prix at Phillip Island proving a highlight as Gardner took his first top ten finish Down Under.

Remy Gardner's opening day was full of technical gremlins
Remy Gardner’s opening day of a troubled 2015 season was full of technical gremlins, and it never got all that much better

For 2016, Gardner then moved to bigger machinery, taking on the Moto2 European Championship with Race Experience and, from the Catalan GP on, the Moto2 World Championship with Tasca Racing. In the former he impressed with a top five in Race 2 at MotorLand, before signing off his participation with his first win in Race 2 in Barcelona – and by a sizeable margin.

Remy Gardner - Image by Tasca Racing
Remy Gardner (2016) – Image by Tasca Racing

The same Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya also staged his Moto2 World Championship debut, which saw Gardner come home in P15 and score a point first time out, just week before his first European Moto2 win. Impressing with his adaptation, Gardner then remained in the Moto2 World Championship for the remainder of 2016, taking more points at the Sachsenring with a 12th-place finish before another points-paying P13 at Sepang.

Remy Gardner victorious in FIM CEV Moto2 race at Catalunya
Remy Gardner victorious in FIM CEV Moto2 race at Catalunya (2016)

His performances earned him a seat at Tech3 Racing for 2017, and he was a regular points scorer, taking his first top ten in the Moto2 World Championship with a ninth place at Brno.

Remy Gardner
Remy Gardner – Sepang 2017

2018 saw the Aussie take more points and move further forward once again, the progress clear despite a motocross accident ahead of the Spanish GP in which he broke both his legs. Once he was back from injury though, Gardner picked up where he left off, took his first front row at Silverstone and then ended both the season and his tenure with Tech3 in style at Valencia with his first Moto2 top five.

Remy Gardner
Remy Gardner – 2018

2019 and 2020 added more milestones as Gardner moved to the SAG Team. In 2019 the number 87 took his first Grand Prix podium with second place at Termas de Rio Hondo, as well as setting the fastest lap, and the TT Circuit Assen saw the Australian take his first pole position.

MotoGP Rnd Assen QP Moto Gardner Binder Vierge
2019 Assen TT Moto2 Qualifying results:
1 – Remy Gardner (AUS – Kalex) 1’36.572
2 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) +0.110
3 – Xavi Vierge (SPA – Kalex) +0.144

2020 began with a top five in Qatar, Gardner took pole in Austria and by the Styrian GP he was back on the podium. However, a crash in Warm Up at Misano – where he was set to start from pole – saw the Aussie facing more injury struggles with a fracture to his left hand. He missed that race and the Emilia-Romagna GP, returning at Catalunya but only taking P16 after riding through the pain barrier.

Remy Gardner won the Moto2 race at Portimao in 2020

From there though, the momentum began its crescendo that would culminate in the 2021 Moto2 crown: second at Le Mans, two top fives at MotorLand, and third and seventh at Valencia. That prefaced the season finale where, after mastering the rollercoaster as the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve joined the calendar, Gardner took his first Grand Prix win in some style: from pole and with the fastest lap.

Remy Gardner winning at Portimao in 2021

For 2021, the rider on a roll joined Red Bull KTM Ajo and the rest is history, or likely become so. Gardner started the season with three podiums in a row in Qatar, Doha and Portimão, before a fourth place from pole in Jerez. Le Mans was another podium, this time in second place, before Gardner won three in a row on an incredible run of form: Mugello, Catalunya and Germany, the latter of which was the 200th Moto2 race. Another podium at Assen saw him head into the summer break with an advantage in the title fight of 31 points.

Remy Gardner won the 200th Moto2 race at Sachsenring 2021

His closest rival, however, was team-mate Raul Fernandez and the rookie sensation would continue to prove the key challenger as the season rolled on.

Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez battled all season

Gardner came back from the summer break off the podium in both races at the Red Bull Ring as Raul Fernandez took another win in the second, not going down without a fight.

Remy Gardner took the win at Sachsenring

The Australian hit back with victory at Silverstone as his team-mate crashed out, but both Aragon and San Marino saw the number 87 forced to settle for second as Raul Fernandez began a serious comeback and strung together his own run of three wins in a row – including at the Circuit of the Americas, where Gardner made his first big mistake of the season and crashed out.

KTM 1-2 at Mugello

And so, as the paddock returned to Misano for the Emilia-Romagna GP, the gap between the two was just nine points… but there was another twist in the tale just around the corner. Despite the race proving a tougher once for Gardner, Raul Fernandez crashed out the lead – doubling Gardner’s advantage in one fell swoop as the gap shot back out to 18 points in favour the Australian.

Remy Gardner

That set up the first match point in the Moto2 World Championship for the Algarve GP, and despite a dramatic crash on Friday that left Gardner riding a little bruised on Sunday, the Australian dug deep and took an incredible win under intense pressure from his teammate. That added another five points of advantage, making it 23 on the way in to the season finale.

It was a pensive final race of the season for Gardner at Valencia

After a Red Flag and restart, Gardner kept his nerve from P8 on the grid, dropping a couple of places and duelling it out in the latter half of the top ten. Raul Fernandez had to win to keep his chances alive and that the number 25 did, but Gardner stayed calm and avoided any risks near the front to come out on top in the fight for tenth – three places higher than he needed – and take a history-making World Championship crown. Wayne and Remy join Kenny Roberts and Kenny Roberts Jr as father and son World Champions.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

Remy Garnder by numbers

Remy Gardner is the first Australian rider to clinch the Moto2 title and the second to do so in the intermediate category of GP racing along with Kel Carruthers in 1969.

Remy Gardner is the seventh different Australian rider to clinch a GP world title along with Casey Stoner (2), Mick Doohan (5), Kel Carruthers (1), Tom Phillis (1), Keith Campbell (1) and Remy’s father Wayne Gardner (1).

In addition, with his father Wayne crowned World Champion in the 500cc class in 1987, they become the second father and son to both be World Champions, along with MotoGP Legends Kenny Roberts and Kenny Roberts Jr.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion – With Team Manager Aki Ajo

Aged 23 years and 263 days old, Gardner is the eighth youngest rider to clinch the title in Moto2, behind Alex Marquez (23 years 194 days old).

With six wins in the intermediate category, Remy Gardner is the second most successful Australian rider in the intermediate class behind Kel Carruthers (7 wins).

Remy Gardner has won five races in 2021, three less than his teammate Raul Fernandez. However, he is tied with Fernandez as the riders most podiums in Moto2 this season, with 12.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

Remy Gardner on winning the World Championship

It’s definitely been an intense season. Raul did an amazing job this year, as a rookie he really made me work for it for sure. It’s such an amazing season, so many podiums, great races, four wins. [Speaker: five wins]. Five wins? Five. Well that shows how much I’m keeping track. It’s been an incredible season. So many parc fermes and podiums, incredible moments with the team. There were times I’d finish second and think that was a bad day but you have to enjoy every moment. It’s been such an amazing season but intense for sure, especially the last quarter has been really intense, Raul has been so fast, I’ve made a few mistakes and he has too, but consistency was key in the end and the days when I just couldn’t win or he won, it was just about finishing and getting the points I could. Ultimately that’s what got us over the line.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

“With the first race I had a pretty good first lap, after that incident at Turn 2 I got though on the inside and ended up with the front guys and I thought that would be a good opportunity to go with those guys and break up the group and have a good consistent race, then with the Red Flag everything stopped.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion and KTM Constructor Champion

“I made a good start in both, the second wasn’t as good on the first lap and for the first few laps I was just hanging in there and going with the guys but it was a bit scary cause I saw there was a bit of commotion, guys were passing, Raul was going for it and I thought ‘I’m not going to put myself in the middle there, I’m going to hang back.’ Then I came under fire from the guys behind and had to pull my finger out a little bit and break up the group a bit.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

“I had to push a bit harder to get away from Tetsu, he was going crazy and as my team-mate in the past, I know how he rides! Just tried to break up the group a bit and finish the race in a respectable position and safely. Managed to do that, keep my nerves and for sure it was a lot of pressure but I managed to bring it home.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet to be honest. There have been so many hard years, decent success this year and even last year, I really kind of changed my chip last year and everything started to go a bit better. I didn’t have the most podiums in the world but managed to get my mind under control, everything was falling into place and I was trying to keep positive about everything. From 2015 to even 2019 they were really, really tough years for me and like I said, there were points in my career I honestly believed that was it, there was no more and that was the end of the road. Especially after injury for sure, fighting through that was incredibly difficult.

Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

Remy Gardner Profile

  • First Grand Prix: Misano 2014, Moto3
  • First pole position: Assen 2019, Moto2
  • First podium: Argentina 2019, Moto2
  • First victory: Portugal 2020, Moto2
  • Grands Prix: 113 (92 in Moto2)
  • Victories: 5 (5 in Moto2)
  • Podiums: 16 (16 in Moto2)
  • Pole positions: 6 (6 in Moto2)
  • Fastest laps: 5 (5 in Moto2)
  • World Championships: Moto2 (2021)
  • 2014: Moto3 World Championship – 32nd, Kalex/Kalex KTM, 3 races, 1 point
  • 2015: Moto3 World Championship – 30th, Mahindra, 18 races, 6 points
  • 2016: Moto2 World Championship – 26th, Kalex, 12 races, 8 points
  • 2017: Moto2 World Championship – 21st, Tech3, 17 races, 23 points
  • 2018: Moto2 World Championship – 19th, Tech3, 15 races, 40 points
  • 2019: Moto2 World Championship – 15th, Kalex, 18 races, 77 points
  • 2020: Moto2 World Championship – 6th, Kalex, 13 races, 135 points
  • 2021: Moto2 World Championship – 1st, Kalex, 18 races, 311 points
Remy Gardner – 2021 Moto2 World Champion

Moto 2 Championship Standings

Pos Rider Bike Nation Points
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex AUS 311
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex SPA 307
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex ITA 214
4 Sam LOWES Kalex GBR 190
5 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex SPA 174
6 Aron CANET Boscoscuro SPA 164
7 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex ITA 161
8 Ai OGURA Kalex JPN 120
9 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro SPA 106
10 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex GER 98
11 Xavi VIERGE Kalex SPA 93
12 Celestino VIETTI Kalex ITA 89
13 Joe ROBERTS Kalex USA 59
14 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex ITA 51
15 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex USA 50
16 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex NED 46
17 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex SPA 39
18 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex THA 37
19 Stefano MANZI Kalex ITA 36
20 Jake DIXON Kalex GBR 30
21 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro SPA 28
22 Thomas LUTHI Kalex SWI 27
23 Hector GARZO Kalex SPA 16
24 Simone CORSI MV Agusta ITA 16
25 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro SPA 13
26 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex ITA 12
27 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex ITA 10
28 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS MAL 9
29 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA Kalex JPN 5
30 Alonso LOPEZ Boscoscuro SPA 4
31 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta ITA 3
32 Barry BALTUS NTS BEL 2

Aki Ajo – Red Bull KTM Moto2 Team Manager

In both categories this season has been incredible. On the other hand, I have to remind myself that this is part of the work: the result of that is the improvements we can see, and we can still make. It is always a pleasure to go through that process. It’s an emotional moment. Remy did it today and Raul had a great race; like for every rider, we just tried to help them take out the maximum of their potential. It’s important to draw out the best of everything around you in racing while also keeping it simple.”

Aki Ajo embraces Remy Gardner in Parc Ferme at Valencia

Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsports Director

It’s a great moment. Winning the title in Moto3 and then watching these boys in Moto2 – and knowing they are moving up to MotoGP – I feel like our foundation for the future is set. This year has been another milestone. It’s crazy what Red Bull KTM Ajo did this season and we’re looking forward to 2022 already.”

Both Gardner and his team-mate Raul Fernandez will move up to MotoGP in 2022 with Tech3 KTM

Moto2 Constructor Standings

Pos Constructor Points
1 KALEX 450
2 BOSCOSCURO 199
3 MV AGUSTA 19
4 NTS 11

Moto2 Team Standings

Pos Team Points
1 RED BULL KTM AJO 618
2 ELF MARC VDS RACING TEAM 364
3 SKY RACING TEAM VR46 303
4 INDE ASPAR TEAM 192
5 FEDERAL OIL GRESINI MOTO2 173
6 IDEMITSU HONDA TEAM ASIA 157
7 LIQUI MOLY INTACT GP 149
8 PETRONAS SPRINTA RACING 123
9 TERMOZETA SPEED UP 119
10 AMERICAN RACING 89
11 ITALTRANS RACING TEAM 74
12 PERTAMINA MANDALIKA SAG TEAM 73
13 FLEXBOX HP40 56
14 MV AGUSTA FORWARD RACING 19
15 NTS RW RACING GP 11

Source: MCNews.com.au

Remy Gardner takes 23-point lead into Moto2 championship finale

Remy Gardner wins in Portugal

Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) secured what’s likely the most important victory of his career at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve and now takes a 23-point lead into the final round in Valencia. The Australian got the better of rival and teammate Raul Fernandez as the Spaniard had to settle for P2 despite an early lead. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed the podium, ultimately less than a second away from Fernandez.

2021 Portimao II Moto2 podium
1 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 39’36.275
2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +3.014
3 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – +3.899

As the lights went out, Raul Fernandez and Gardner both made good starts and they launched into Turn 1 as they lined up on the grid – P1 and P2. Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) made a lightning start from seventhto push his way up into P3 in the opening exchanges too, and the Italian was soon ahead of Gardner to boot. The top three – Raul Fernandez, Bezzecchi and Gardner – were split by just over a second in the early stages, with Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) in an impressive fourth, two seconds down on the podium fight.

After shadowing Bezzecchi for a few laps, Gardner was back up into P2 on Lap 9, with Raul Fernandez’ lead standing at just over a second. As things were, the gap between the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair would have been 13 points heading to Valencia, but Gardner was starting to reel his teammate in…

Turn 1, Lap 13. Gardner, with more grip, was truly on the scene and passed Raul Fernandez down the hill. Bezzecchi was three seconds further behind, so it looked set to send in a duel, but Gardner wasn’t pulling away. The number 25 of his teammate was latched onto his rear tyre, with Lowes the new threat in P3 as the Brit caught and passed Bezzecchi.

Raul Fernandez

Heading into the final five laps, Raul Fernandez was still hanging in there but couldn’t get close enough to make a move. But with three to go, the gap went up over a second, and it only increased from there…

By the last lap, Lowes was lapping nearly a second a lap quicker than Raul Fernandez too, and if the number 22 overtook the number 25, that would hand the title to Gardner. And the Brit got close but not quite close enough, with Gardner taking 25 points under extreme pressure and in a fair bit of pain after his crash on Friday. Fernandez hung on in second, and Lowes completed the podium after another good ride at the front, pulling a little more clear in fourth overall heading to Valencia.

Remy Gardner

Aron Canet (QuieroCorredor Aspar Team) ultimately pipped Beaubier to P4 but the duo crossed the line just 0.005 apart, and the American equalled his best Moto2 result. Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) claimed P6 as the Italian once again impresses, the rookie beating Jorge Navarro (Termozeta Speed Up) by eight tenths. Bezzecchi slipped from P2 to P8 at the chequered flag. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) rounded out the top 10.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) couldn’t covert a front row start into a podium attack, the Italian finishing P11, with Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP40), Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) picked up the final points.

Remy Gardner

Gardner’s victory sees him have one hand and four fingers on the 2021 Moto2 World title, but it’s not over until it’s over. A phenomenal season finale is coming up in Valencia between the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo… so who comes out on top after a thrilling season?

The Australian has gathered 12 podiums through a consistent term that included wins in Italy, Catalunya, Germany, Great Britain and now Portugal. Fernandez has 11 rostrum appearances. Gardner and Fernandez’s will end their gripping dispute at next week’s season-closing Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana on Sunday November 14th.

Remy Gardner

One of the hardest races and one of my best. Especially with all that pressure. I was pretty clear that we’d go with the hard tyre and it worked out. I had to really push in the first stage of race to stay with Raul. My ribs were hurting, and it was really tough. I don’t know how I did it to be honest.

Remy Gardner

Moto2 Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 39m36.275
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex +3.014
3 Sam LOWES Kalex +3.899
4 Aron CANET Boscoscuro +7.616
5 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex +7.621
6 Celestino VIETTI Kalex +10.021
7 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro +10.908
8 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex +11.586
9 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex +13.121
10 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex +13.286
11 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex +14.614
12 Hector GARZO Kalex +25.538
13 Stefano MANZI Kalex +26.511
14 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex +27.225
15 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex +28.345
16 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro +28.412
17 Simone CORSI MV Agusta +32.282
18 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS +35.387
19 Thomas LUTHI Kalex +39.184
20 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex +43.803
21 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA Kalex ++43.432
22 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex +43.491
23 Barry BALTUS NTS +45.847
24 Joe ROBERTS Kalex +54.35
25 Piotr BIESIEKIRSKI Kalex +1m08.619
Not Classified
DNF Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 9 Laps
DNF Xavi VIERGE Kalex 13 Laps
DNF Jake DIXON Kalex 14 Laps
DNF Ai OGURA Kalex 21 Laps
DNF Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro 22 Laps

Moto2 Championship Standings

Pos Rider Bike Nation Points
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex AUS 305
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex SPA 282
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex ITA 214
4 Sam LOWES Kalex GBR 181
5 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex SPA 158
6 Aron CANET Boscoscuro SPA 153
7 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex ITA 141
8 Ai OGURA Kalex JPN 120
9 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro SPA 98
10 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex GER 91
11 Xavi VIERGE Kalex SPA 83
12 Celestino VIETTI Kalex ITA 76
13 Joe ROBERTS Kalex USA 59
14 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex ITA 51
15 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex USA 50
16 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex NED 46
17 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex THA 37
18 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex SPA 37
19 Stefano MANZI Kalex ITA 33
20 Jake DIXON Kalex GBR 30
21 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro SPA 28
22 Thomas LUTHI Kalex SWI 23
23 Hector GARZO Kalex SPA 16
24 Simone CORSI MV Agusta ITA 16
25 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro SPA 13
26 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex ITA 12
27 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex ITA 10
28 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS MAL 8
29 Alonso LOPEZ Boscoscuro SPA 4
30 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta ITA 3
31 Barry BALTUS NTS BEL 2

2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar

Round Date Location
Round 1 Mar-28 Qatar, Losail (night race)
Round 2 Apr-04 Doha, Losail (night race)
Round 3 Apr-18 Portugal, Portimao
Round 4 May-02 Spain, Jerez
Round 5 May-16 France, Le Mans
Round 6 May-30 Italy- Mugello
Round 7 Jun-06 Catalunya, Barcelona
Round 8 Jun-20 Germany, Sachsenring
Round 9 Jun-27 Netherlands, Assen
Round 10 Aug-8 Styria, Red Bull Ring
Round 11 Aug-15 Austria, Red Bull Ring
Round 12 Aug-29 Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 13 Sep-12 Aragon, Motorland Aragon
Round 14 Sep-19 San Marino, Misano
Round 15 Oct-03 Americas, Circuit of the Americas
Round 16 Oct-24 Italy e dell’Emilia Romagna, Misano
Round 17 Nov-7 Portugal, Algarve
Round 18 Nov-14 Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Source: MCNews.com.au

Australian MotoGP Cancelled

The Phillip Island MotoGP round won’t be happening this year – and five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan isn’t too happy about it. 

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation board member isn’t the only one gritting his teeth.  With ongoing restrictions costing last year’s Aussie Grand Prix to fold, riders and viewers alike were looking forward to the next race to unite the track – in the case of Doohan’s frustrations, for an Aussie to win it.

Jack Miller and Remy Gardner, two Aussies connected to the Aussie Grand Prix
Aussie homestars Jack Miller and Remy Gardner

According to a report from Crash.net, two Aussies were carrying a lot of potential for this year’s home race.  Factory Ducati rider and home star Jack Miller had been winning races in the premier class, and with future Tech3 KTM rider Remy Gardner leading the Moto2 world championship, chances were high for an Aussie win.

Besides that, fans were simply eager to see things return to normal after the restrictions of 2020. 

cartoon caricatures of Jack Miller and Remy Gardner waiting for the next MotoGP Race
Phillip Island Christmas cards of 2020/2021, prior to the most recent restrictions.

“I’m totally devastated that we’re not hosting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix again this year at Phillip Island,” says Doohan, “especially with the form we’ve got with Jack Miller in MotoGP and Remy Gardner in Moto2, who could have been in a position to win the championship overall at Phillip Island”. 

While fans are exempt from the view at Phillip Island for 2021, they will still be able to look forward to next year’s rounds, where Miller and Gardner will be sharing the same grid. 

 front view of Carmelo Ezpeleta
MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta released the following in a statement:

“Unfortunately, we will have to wait another year to return to Victoria, but we very much look forward to seeing the Australian fans in 2022 and staging another fantastic event together – this time with two home heroes, Jack Miller and Remy Gardner, on the premier class grid when we return”.

Paul Little, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman
Andrew Westacott, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (L) listens to Paul Little, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman

Paul Little, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, mirrors these sentiments. 

“I would like to reassure our motivated and professional staff, suppliers, and partners, as well as the Victorian tourism and major events community, that we will work tirelessly to deliver these iconic events in 2022.”

Fingers crossed for 2022, and make sure to support the riders by staying up to date on all things MotoGP!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Remy Gardner makes history in Germany

2021 MotoGP Round Eight Sachsenring


Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) waited a little while to take to the top step in 2021, but the Australian has now done it three times in a row and is the first from his nation to do so. Another imperious performance saw him enjoy what looked almost like a track day at the Sachsenring, with team-mate Raul Fernandez initially on his tail before sliding out. Aron Canet (Aspar Team Moto2) returned to the intermediate class podium in second, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) locking out the rostrum in third.

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Podium
1 Remy Gardner- Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 39:39.191
2 Aron Canet – Aspar Team Moto2 – Boscoscuro – +6.158
3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +7.030

It was a big day for the fathers/sons of a few Aussie motorcycling legends over the weekend. Remy Gardner, son of 500cc World Champion Wayne; Oli Bayliss, son of three-time World Superbike Champion Troy took his first ASBK Superbike victory; and Jack Doohan, son of five-time 500cc World Champion Mick, took victory in the FIA Formula Three Championship.

Remy Gardner

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Race Report

As the lights went out it was Fernandez and Gardner who got the jump down into Turn 1, whilst Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) got a terrible getaway and was left mired down in fifth. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was up to third ahead of Bezzecchi, who held position from his starting place. It was also a good start from Jorge Navarro (+EGO Speed Up), likewise holding his position from the start of the race.

Moto2 Sachsenring 2021

It became clear from the early stages that the race would be between the two Red Bull KTM Ajos, with Fernandez leading until Gardner got ahead of him at Turn 12 on Lap 2. Whilst both were racing away at the front at a rate of around a second a lap, it would be a mistake that would see the title pendulum swing in favour of Gardner: suddenly, Fernandez tucked the front at Turn 3. The rookie faltered for the first time in 2021 and the Australian was left to race against concentration, and himself. Crossing the line for his third win in a row with some real breathing space, he got the job done and now leads by 36 points over Fernandez in the standings…

Fernandez and Gardner broke away

Canet was left in second and the Aspar rider pushed to stay there, with a big gap slowly but surely diminishing as the race went on. Bezzecchi was the man on the chase but just came up a second short, nevertheless taking the podium after repelling the attentions of Di Giannantonio, who was forced to settle for fourth.

Remy Gardner

Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pinched fifth place in the closing stages to deny Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), although the home hero had fought valiantly from 17th on the grid. Jorge Navarro, Albert Arenas (Aspar Team Moto2), Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) completed the top ten, that for Arenas a first Moto2 top ten and Beaubier giving America a third top ten of 2021.

Remy Gardner

The final lap also saw numerous positions squandered, as Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out of sixth place at Turn 1. Then, further down the order, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) crashed from 11th, also at Turn 1. Then, at Turn 8, it was Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) who crashed out from fifth, promoting Lowes vs Schrötter.

Remy Gardner

There was also drama for Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) earlier in the race as the two collided at Turn 12, resulting in Dixon running off and Fernandez going down.

The winner of the 200th Moto2 race is Remy Gardner!

Before the race my brother messaged me, ‘yo go win it today! You’ll be the first Australian to win three consecutively in the intermediate class!’ I guess I’m making history so that’s cool! Honestly I expected a hard battle today, Raul’s been really strong all weekend, I thought Diggia would be there, I don’t know what happened. Especially in Warm Up Raul had better pace than me so I was expecting a good long fight. I knew Raul would struggle a bit with the front tyre but I saw I had a bit more pace in the first laps so I passed him and just tried to go, but being smooth. Then a few laps later I saw plus 4 and a half, or something like that, and I was just trying then to not lose concentration. It was a really long race, a lot of laps around here. Happy to get those 25 points, it was an extremely important day for us.

Remy Gardner

2021 Sachsenring Moto2 Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 39m39.191
2 Aron CANET Boscoscuro +6.158
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex +7.03
4 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex +8.145
5 Sam LOWES Kalex +9.888
6 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex +10
7 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro +16.039
8 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro +19.394
9 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex +21.718
10 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex +26.393
11 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex +26.732
12 Alonso LOPEZ Kalex +26.835
13 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex +28.034
14 Barry BALTUS NTS +28.984
15 Celestino VIETTI Kalex +31.414
16 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex +33.176
17 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS +33.425
18 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex +39.638
19 Thomas LUTHI Kalex +39.682
20 Stefano MANZI Kalex +44.613
21 Jake DIXON Kalex +47.416
Not Classified
DNF Ai OGURA Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Xavi VIERGE Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Joe ROBERTS Kalex 1 Lap
DNF Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 14 Laps
DNF Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex 22 Laps
DNF Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 22 Laps
DNF Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex 24 Laps
DNF Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro 25 Laps

Moto2 Championship Points Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 164
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex 128
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex 117
4 Sam LOWES Kalex 86
5 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex 73
6 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex 59
7 Aron CANET Boscoscuro 55
8 Joe ROBERTS Kalex 50
9 Xavi VIERGE Kalex 42
10 Ai OGURA Kalex 39
11 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex 38
12 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex 34
13 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro 33
14 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex 30
15 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex 26
16 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro 18
17 Stefano MANZI Kalex 17
18 Celestino VIETTI Kalex 16
19 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex 16
20 Jake DIXON Kalex 11
21 Hector GARZO Kalex 11
22 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex 11
23 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex 10
24 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS 8
25 Simone CORSI MV Agusta 7
26 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 6
27 Alonso LOPEZ Kalex 4
28 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro 4
29 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 3
30 Barry BALTUS NTS 2
31 Thomas LUTHI Kalex 2
32 Yari MONTELLA Boscoscuro 0
33 Tommaso MARCON MV Agusta 0
34 Miquel PONS MV Agusta 0
35 Fraser ROGERS NTS 0
36 Taiga HADA NTS 0
37 Piotr BIESIEKIRSKI Kalex 0
38 Keminth KUBO Kalex 0

2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar

Round Date Location
Round 1 Mar-28 Qatar, Losail (night race)
Round 2 Apr-04 Doha, Losail (night race)
Round 3 Apr-18 Portugal, Portimao
Round 4 May-02 Spain, Jerez
Round 5 May-16 France, Le Mans
Round 6 May-30 Italy- Mugello
Round 7 Jun-06 Catalunya, Barcelona
Round 8 Jun-20 Germany, Sachsenring
Round 9 Jun-27 Netherlands, Assen
Round 10 Jul-11 Finland, KymiRing (subject to homologation)
Round 11 Aug-15 Austria, Red Bull Ring
Round 12 Aug-29 Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 13 Sep-12 Aragon, Motorland Aragon
Round 14 Sep-19 Sam Marino, Misano
Round 15 Oct-03 Japan, Motegi
Round 16 Oct-10 Thailand, Chang International Circuit
Round 17 Oct-24 Australia, Phillip Island
Round 18 Oct-31 Malaysia, Sepang
Round 19 Nov-14 Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Round 20 TBA Argentina, Termas de Rio Hondo
Round 21 TBA Americas, COTA

Source: MCNews.com.au

Remy Gardner takes second Moto2 victory in a row

2021 Moto2 Catalunya


Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) capped off a week of headline-stealing – following a new MotoGP contract for next year – with another win in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, going back-to-back for the first time in his career. That means, for the first time since Casey Stoner in 2005, an Australian has won two intermediate class races on the spin. Gardner’s rookie team-mate Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took second, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completing the podium, back on the box for the first time since 2018 and on home turf.

Winning on the track, and winning a MotoGP contract for 2022. Things are on the up for Remy

2021 Catalunya Moto2 Race Report

Gardner was able to get the start he would have wanted from pole, the Australian earning the holeshot as team-mate Fernandez held P2 also. Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) likewise got a great launch and troubled Raul Fernandez at Turn 5, the Dutchman making a clean move stick before the number 25 was able to strike back at Turn 7.

2021 Catalunya Moto2 Race

Gardner was into a rhythm at the front but his team-mate, with a bit of clear track in front, was able to slowly creep his way up to tag onto the back. Bendsneyder and Vierge were able to stay within touching distance of the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders though, with fifth place Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) 2.3 back from the race lead on Lap 10 of 22.

Gardner leading Fernandez

The lead then changed with 11 laps remaining. Raul Fernandez drafted Gardner down the straight, pulled alongside on the brakes and made a clean and concise move stick. Bendsneyder was still a close third, with Vierge and Bezzecchi less than a second down, as Gardner clung onto the coattails of Fernandez.

Fernandez leading Gardner

At the beginning of Lap 20, Gardner pounced. A late lunge at Turn 1 saw the Aussie cut past his team-mate and a 1:44.399 helped him edge out a 0.6 lead. Heading onto the last lap, it was up to 1.1 and that sensational final trio of laps saw Gardner claim a second victory in a row, extending his lead in the title race over his team-mate to 11 points as Raul Fernandez took second. Vierge fended off Bezzecchi to hand Petronas Sprinta Racing their maiden Moto2 rostrum in third.

Bezzecchi threatened to steal the podium in the closing stages but it was P4 for the Italian, with Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) equalling his best result of the season in P5 – an important one for the Spaniard after good speed but bad luck of late.

Remy Gardner takes victory

Bendsneyder faded in the latter stages but picks up a great P6, the Dutch rider 0.3s ahead of seventh place Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) after a solid race for the Brit, who needed a finish. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) completed the top 10 in Barcelona.

Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) missed out on a top 10 by less than a second in P11, with reigning Moto3 World Champion Albert Arenas (Inde Aspar Team) having a good ride to end the day P12 on home soil. Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) were the remaining points scorers.

Remy Gardner

In the beginning I tried to break away but didn’t want to burn up the rear tyre so I was just trying to be smooth. I thought if I could break away like that perfect, but I saw it was half a second the whole time. I didn’t know who was behind but Raul made a push and I thought ‘alright I’ll follow you’. He wasn’t pulling away and I just sat behind managing the tyres. I knew I had a bit more in me, I had half the race to study him and I said to myself, ‘alright two laps to the end I’m going to pass him and just go for it’. I saw the opportunity at Turn 1 and went ‘alright, let’s do it’, put the hammer down and pulled away. Couldn’t be happier, another 25 points.”

2021 Catalunya Moto2 podium
1 Remy Gardner- Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 38:22.284
2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +1.872
3 Xavi Vierge – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Kalex – +2.866

2021 Catalunya Moto2 Race Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 38m22.284
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex +1.872
3 Xavi VIERGE Kalex +2.866
4 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex +3.207
5 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex +3.899
6 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex +4.541
7 Sam LOWES Kalex +4.875
8 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex +15.973
9 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex +17.515
10 Joe ROBERTS Kalex +19.838
11 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro +20.571
12 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro +22.512
13 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex +22.558
14 Celestino VIETTI Kalex +23.238
15 Thomas LUTHI Kalex +23.958
16 Simone CORSI MV Agusta +25.099
17 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex +31.344
18 Jake DIXON Kalex +37.129
19 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex +37.895
20 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS +38.438
21 Alonso LOPEZ Boscoscuro +40.247
22 Barry BALTUS NTS +40.674
23 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta +40.784
24 Stefano MANZI Kalex +48.588
25 Piotr BIESIEKIRSKI Kalex +49.64
26 Keminth KUBO Kalex +49.694
Not Classified
DNF Hector GARZO Kalex 2 Laps
DNF Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex 2 Laps
DNF Ai OGURA Kalex 3 Laps
DNF Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 4 Laps
DNF Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex 15 Laps
DNF Aron CANET Boscoscuro 16 Laps

Moto2 Championship Points Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Remy GARDNER Kalex 139
2 Raul FERNANDEZ Kalex 128
3 Marco BEZZECCHI Kalex 101
4 Sam LOWES Kalex 75
5 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO Kalex 60
6 Joe ROBERTS Kalex 50
7 Marcel SCHROTTER Kalex 49
8 Xavi VIERGE Kalex 42
9 Ai OGURA Kalex 39
10 Aron CANET Boscoscuro 35
11 Bo BENDSNEYDER Kalex 35
12 Augusto FERNANDEZ Kalex 34
13 Tony ARBOLINO Kalex 30
14 Jorge NAVARRO Boscoscuro 24
15 Cameron BEAUBIER Kalex 20
16 Stefano MANZI Kalex 17
17 Celestino VIETTI Kalex 15
18 Jake DIXON Kalex 11
19 Hector GARZO Kalex 11
20 Somkiat CHANTRA Kalex 11
21 Albert ARENAS Boscoscuro 10
22 Marcos RAMIREZ Kalex 9
23 Hafizh SYAHRIN NTS 8
24 Simone CORSI MV Agusta 7
25 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA Kalex 6
26 Nicolò BULEGA Kalex 5
27 Fermín ALDEGUER Boscoscuro 4
28 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI MV Agusta 3
29 Thomas LUTHI Kalex 2
30 Barry BALTUS NTS 0
31 Yari MONTELLA Boscoscuro 0
32 Tommaso MARCON MV Agusta 0
33 Miquel PONS MV Agusta 0
34 Fraser ROGERS NTS 0
35 Alonso LOPEZ Boscoscuro 0
36 Taiga HADA NTS 0
37 Piotr BIESIEKIRSKI Kalex 0
38 Keminth KUBO Kalex 0

2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar

Round Date Location
Round 1 Mar-28 Qatar, Losail (night race)
Round 2 Apr-04 Doha, Losail (night race)
Round 3 Apr-18 Portugal, Portimao
Round 4 May-02 Spain, Jerez
Round 5 May-16 France, Le Mans
Round 6 May-30 Italy- Mugello
Round 7 Jun-06 Catalunya, Barcelona
Round 8 Jun-20 Germany, Sachsenring
Round 9 Jun-27 Netherlands, Assen
Round 10 Jul-11 Finland, KymiRing (subject to homologation)
Round 11 Aug-15 Austria, Red Bull Ring
Round 12 Aug-29 Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 13 Sep-12 Aragon, Motorland Aragon
Round 14 Sep-19 Sam Marino, Misano
Round 15 Oct-03 Japan, Motegi
Round 16 Oct-10 Thailand, Chang International Circuit
Round 17 Oct-24 Australia, Phillip Island
Round 18 Oct-31 Malaysia, Sepang
Round 19 Nov-14 Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Round 20 TBA Argentina, Termas de Rio Hondo
Round 21 TBA Americas, COTA

Source: MCNews.com.au

Remy Gardner to MotoGP – It’s official!

Australia will have two riders on the MotoGP grid in 2022

Grand Prix winning Moto2 star Remy Gardner will move into the MotoGP class next season and steer one of the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing RC16s as he continues his upward trajectory at world championship level.

Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsport Director

It’s a real pleasure for us to bring Remy to MotoGP next season because we knew about his speed and ability for Moto2 and he has confirmed that potential. We believe there is much more to come from him and it’s important he has this opportunity to keep growing. Remy is a typical racer. He’s super-determined and never gives up. He’s exciting to watch and we’re looking forward to working with him in this next step. Again, we’re also showing that the KTM GP Academy can give the right opportunity for riders that want to go all the way.”

Remy Gardner is on top of the Moto2 standings and is riding with great maturity this season

Gardner, the current Moto2 championship leader, Italian Grand Prix victor and owner of five podiums from six events this season as part of Aki Ajo’s Red Bull KTM Ajo squad, has signed a contract to make his MotoGP debut next year and completes the final step on the KTM GP Academy career ‘ladder’ by joining his former team.

Hervé Poncharal – Tech3 KTM Team Manager

Although we are flat out into our 2021 campaign, having done six races with pretty good results at the last two rounds, we as well also have to think what will be our future. Winston Churchill said, to govern is to foresee and I think we have to think about what could be the ideal line up for 2022. With Red Bull and KTM we have an incredible tool, starting from the Rookies Cup, going to the Moto3 World Championship teams and then of course the official Moto2 team and therefore it was important to secure Remy Gardner, who is now leading the Moto2 World Championship, having won the last round in Mugello in a very smart way. It was wise and good to secure him and to give him the chance to finally reach his dream, which is riding in MotoGP. We are very proud, happy and confident to welcome Remy. We believe he will be a strong asset to the KTM MotoGP line up and I think having taken this decision is going to help Remy to focus 100% on his Moto2 World Championship and will also help us, the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing Team to focus on our 2021 season. So, welcome back, Remy, keep on pushing and come to join us for your MotoGP adventure as a Moto2 World Champion!”

A jubilant Remy Gardner took his first victory of the season to extend his Moto2 championship lead last week at Mugello

The 23-year-old’s potential has been evident through an education that involved one term in Moto3 and five in Moto2. He was finally snared by KTM to round-off advanced phases of his development under Ajo’s watchful eye and in the crew that has pushed both the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing athletes – Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira – to triumph in MotoGP.

Remy Gardner

I’m extremely happy that KTM have given me this opportunity. It’s a dream come true for me and what we have worked for up until this point. It’s an incredible chance for me and I cannot wait to ride the bike. I just want to thank KTM for believing in me. Right now we need to focus on finishing 2021 in a strong way. I want to thank also everyone who has supported me to reach MotoGP. We’re just getting started.”

Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took his first win of 2021 at Mugello last week

Remy made his GP debut in San Marino in 2014. He first stood on the Moto2 podium in 2019 at the Grand Prix of Argentina and has progressed to be one of the main protagonists of the division. After his success at Mugello last weekend he now holds two Moto2 winner’s trophies and fronts the standings by six points.

Gardner will fire-up the Tech3 KTM RC16 for the first round of the 2022 season, almost three decades after his father, Wayne, retired from the premier class of Grand Prix racing in 1992.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Oliveira takes Portimao Pole | Jack P3 | Remy on pole in Moto2

2020 MotoGP Round 15 – Portimao Qualifying


Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) became Portugal’s first premier class winner earlier this season, and what better place to become the nation’s first premier class polesitter than home turf? With a spectacular final lap, that’s exactly what he did – making a little history and putting himself in the best possible position for his first MotoGP race on home soil. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was the man just denied, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) completing the front row.

At his home race, Miguel Oliveira has qualified on pole for the first time since he stepped up to MotoGP last year. It’s the first premier class pole for a Portuguese rider since pole positions began to be officially recorded in 1974.

In Q1, it was close but in the end Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) came out on top as he started his final MotoGP qualifying on top form, just a few hundredths ahead of Morbidelli. Morbidelli had a tense end to the session, however, pulling into pitlane with a minute still on the clock and left to wait and see if Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) could knock him out. The South African was setting red sectors until the final sector, where the lap just went away and he ended up third; 13th on the grid as he aims to secure Rookie of the Year.

Behind the fight for the top, newly-crowned MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) equalled his worst ever premier class qualifying after a very difficult Saturday at the office. Not able to pull anything out the hat in Q1, he starts P20 and third to last on the grid.

Next up, Q2 was ready to go and the stage was set. The majestic Algarve International Circuit was the perfect host for the last qualifying dance of 2020, but who would come out on top? Zarco was the first man into the 1:39s, but there would be plenty more where that came from. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) exchanged P1 in quick succession before Morbidelli shot to the top with a 1:39.245, sitting provisional pole position after the first runs.

With Pol Espargaro at the Austrian GP, Franco Morbidelli at the Catalan GP, Takaaki Nakagami at the Teruel GP, and now Miguel Oliveira, this is the first time there are four maiden MotoGP polesitters in a season since 2006 when it was Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins.

With six minutes to go, most of the riders left pitlane for their final time attack of the season. Quartararo was up in Sector 1, so was Crutchlow and so was Zarco. Morbidelli was under his own time in Sector 2 as well. Coming over the line, Quartararo moved himself up to P5 from P9 and Morbidelli improved his time once more.

Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) then shot into an amazing second, but it didn’t last too long as Crutchlow then demoted his fellow HRC rider to third and Quartararo moved onto the front row. Morbidelli and Miller, however, were flying. The first 1:38 was slammed in from the Italian, but could Miller snatch it away? Not quite, although the Aussie took over in second.

Then though, all eyes turned to the local hero. Oliveira was one of the last men who could deny Morbidelli and giving it his all on home soil, more than in touch. Rising over the brow of the hill, the number 88 got it done and crossed the line to set a new all-time lap record, a phenomenal 1:38.892. The celebrations couldn’t be too vigorous just yet though, with fellow KTM rider Pol Espargaro still out on a charge. The number 44 was faster in Sector 1 and 2 but by the end of the lap, the time faded away for the Spaniard and that was all she wrote: the dream was realised for Oliveira, Tech3 and Portugal. His maiden MotoGP pole, Portugal’s first MotoGP pole and Tech3’s first pole of the year.

2020 Portimao MotoGP front row
1 Miguel Oliveira – Red Bull KTM Tech 3 – KTM – 1:38.892
2 Franco Morbidelli – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – +0.044
3 Jack Miller – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +0.146

Morbidelli’s qualifying was outstanding, however, the Italian turning Q1 into just 0.044 seconds off pole. Miller takes third and his fifth front row of the season, with his great mate Crutchlow next up. P4 is the British rider’s best qualifying result since his Aragon front row, can he fight for a dream goodbye podium from there?

Another man hoping to end the season on a high will be Quartararo from P5 on the grid, which also hands the Frenchman the BMW Qualifying Award for 2020. In addition, his fifth ensures the top five in qualifying are all Independent Team machines. In terms of the Independent Team rider standings, meanwhile, it’s Morbidelli vs Quartararo with the Italian ahead by 17 points…

In sixth place, it’s hats off to test rider turned increasingly impressive stand-in Stefan Bradl. The German HRC rider has been quick all weekend and was less than two tenths away from the front row, set to start the season finale as the top factory rider to boot. He beats Zarco by 0.034 seconds as the Frenchman took seventh despite a crash, with Viñales set to line-up in P8. Both he and ninth place Pol Espargaro finish just three tenths away from pole, but lock out the third row – showing once again how close the margins are in MotoGP.

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is going in search of P2 in the overall standings and the Constructor title for Suzuki, but he’s got a bit of work to do from P10. However, we’ve seen Rins reach the podium from further back in recent times, so never say never! The top Ducati – with the Borgo Panigale factory equal on points with Suzuki in the constructors’ standings – is Miller on the front row, however.

Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemtisu) had a big FP4 crash and will line-up 11th on tomorrow’s grid, the first time he’s been off the front row in a few weeks, with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) finishing Q2 in P12 – 0.695 away from pole position and suffering a lap cancelled.

What a way for MotoGP qualifying to end in 2020. After seeing their man grab a first win in Styria, Portuguese fans now have a premier class pole position to celebrate thanks to the superb efforts of Oliveira. The job isn’t done yet though, can the Portuguese superstar end the season in fairytale fashion with a race win?


MotoGP Rider Quotes

Miguel Oliveira – P1

“It feels really good to be on pole at home. I feel like every time I go on bike on this track I just enjoy every lap and I think that was key today to perform well. For sure, when you enjoy yourself, things somehow get easier. It’s nice to do the first pole here in Portugal and still, we want to finish strong tomorrow and complete the job.”

Franco Morbidelli – P2

“It was a difficult day. We tried some things this morning that were working well yesterday, but they weren’t as good today and I didn’t have a good feeling this morning. We worked on the settings, which helped us to go better and better. We started to get the good feeling back in Q1 and were able to go through to Q2, although it was on the limit as I didn’t improve my time in sector four. I was able to push my tyres a lot in Q2 to finally take the second position, which is a great spot to start the race tomorrow. I’m really happy with the job the team has done today to make the bike better. Tomorrow it will be important to stay with Miguel [Oliveira], as he seems like the rider with the best pace here at the moment, and then see what happens during the race.”

Despite coming through Q1, Franco Morbidelli, who won the previous race in Valencia, has qualified second for his first back-to-back front row starts in MotoGP. He’ll be aiming to take his first back-to-back wins in the class. He is also aiming to end the season in second overall, currently four points ahead of Alex Rins, and can also take the title of top Independent Team rider as he is 17 points ahead of his challenger and teammate, Fabio Quartararo.
Jack Miller – P3

“It has been a positive day, I have given my best as always and tomorrow I will start from the front row which is always an advantage. We started fast since the FP3, we worked very well all weekend and I am satisfied. Tomorrow I would like to be able to give Pramac Racing the last good memory….”

Jack Miller has qualified third, which is the fifth time this season he starts from the front row. He will be aiming to become the 10th different MotoGP winner of the season. Miller is the top Ducati and the best-placed machine from either Ducati or Suzuki as the factories begin the finale equal on points. Whichever machine finishes first wins the constructors’ crown – as long as too much ground is not lost to Yamaha, who trail both by 13 points.
Cal Crutchlow – P4

“It was a good day today for the qualifying, we need to improve the bike setting over the race pace and the race distance and also to choose the tyres for tomorrow’s race. It seems there could be a big mix in the tyre choice, so we’ll see how that goes. But I’m pleased with my qualifying because I put it on the line to try and get a good grid position for my last race.”

After passing through Q1, Cal Crutchlow, who is scheduled to start his last race as a permanent rider on Sunday, qualified fourth as the top Honda, equalling his second-best qualifying result of the season from France.
Fabio Quartararo – P5

“It was a positive day, because we have improved a lot since Valencia. We still have some things we struggled with and that I wasn’t feeling so good with, but we are P5 and that is good. The pace is quite strong, I think I can make the step forward tomorrow and we have something interesting to try in Warm Up. I think the tyre management will be important, as they are wearing very quickly. We will see what happens in the race but I will be giving my best to have a good final race of the year, others have good pace so it will be hard to follow them. I really want to end the season in the best way for the team.”

Fabio Quartararo has qualified fifth for his best qualifying result since he was on pole at the Aragon GP and will be aiming to stand on the podium for the first time since he won the race at the Catalan GP. He trails teammate Morbidelli, who starts second, for the title of top Independent Team rider in 2020 by 17 points.
Stefan Bradl – P6

“Coming straight into Q2 was great, we have been close a couple of times this year and it was a good accomplishment to enter the top ten. Once we were in the session, I was able to be relaxed because we had already achieved something important so we were really able to push. I’m very happy with my lap and all the work the Repsol Honda Team has done. Our race pace is also looking quite good, let’s have a good final race and see what happens. We have so far put together a great weekend, a good way to end the year.”

Stefan Bradl is the top factory rider and starts sixth after his best qualifying since fourth in Malaysia in 2014.
Johann Zarco – P7

“Seventh position is not bad for tomorrow, the time is not enough to fight for pole position but after a small crash I think it is a good time and it has been a positive qualifying. Tomorrow in the first laps I will have to be able to overtake the drivers and set a good pace from the beginning to have a chance to fight for podium positions.”

Maverick Vinales – P8

“For sure I’m not satisfied, because I arrived at this track with high expectations. I was riding fast with the street bike during the test and also in FP1 and FP2 we were there, but today we didn’t have the same feeling, especially when it comes to rear grip. Because of this, in Qualifying I didn’t do as well as I could have done. Maybe the hard tyre can give us something extra for tomorrow. I’m starting from the third row, which usually doesn’t really bode well for me, but I will try to do a good race.”

Maverick Viñales is eighth, which is only the second time this season he has failed to start from the front two rows of the grid. The other was the European GP, when he started from pitlane due to exceeding his engine allocation.
Pol Espargaro – P9

“It was a good in the morning and we had a decent feeling with the bike, used tyres, and tyres but in the afternoon I missed knowing the full limits of this track. It’s easy to find the limit of the bike but where to take it in the third sector was the problem. It was the hardest part to learn and we’re talking about hardly anything at all in braking! I just needed more laps. I think we are very strong with the race rhythm so we’ll push but it won’t be too easy from 9th place. We’ll see what we can manage.”

Alex Rins – P10

“Let’s see what we can do tomorrow. I’ll start on the fourth row in 10th, and I think I can do something. My lap times and feelings have been good, and even though the track is quite tight and technical, I feel positive. Tomorrow morning’s warm-up will be important for testing my rhythm once again, because now we’re sure of the set-up, so the next thing is just to feel a bit more comfortable in my rhythm. I’ll try extremely hard to get the best position possible to end the season on a high with my Team and with the hope of the triple crown.”

Alex Rins is the top Suzuki on the grid as the Hamamatsu factory aim for the Triple Crown, having won the riders’ title with Joan Mir and the team title. Rins is also aiming to make it a Suzuki 1-2 in the riders’ Championship for the first time since 1981. He is currently third overall, four points off Morbidelli, who is on the front row.
Takaaki Nakagami – P11

“I had a crash during FP4 when we had a really positive feeling on the bike. We prepared two bikes, one with very long gearing – the same as (Stefan) Bradl – which was really positive, I felt really comfortable on it and the lap times were really consistent. Then, for the first time we tried a hard compound on the front, and it was a little bit too hard for us. I lost the front end at the same corner as yesterday. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow because we found good race pace and I think we can fight for a good result in the last race of the 2020 season. As always, I’ll try to do my best until the last moment and hopefully I can get a great result for the team.”

Andrea Dovizioso – P12

“I am a little disappointed with the result achieved today in qualifying: compared to yesterday we had managed to take several steps forward. It won’t be an easy race starting so far back, as here, in Portimão, there are not many overtaking spots. In any case, our pace for the race is good, and our direct rivals in the championship are not far off. Tomorrow it will be crucial to get a good start off the grid”. 

Andrea Dovizioso starts 12th in his last race for Ducati and before a sabbatical year. Sixth in the standings, he aims to end the year in the top five at least. He’s equal on points with Quartararo (fifth), with Viñales two points ahead.
Brad Binder – P13

“We were really unfortunate just to miss out on Q2. The frustrating thing for me is that I have the pace and I was capable of a lap-time a good couple of tenths quicker than I managed. In general, I think we’ve done a good job of getting my feeling better, especially because I felt like I was struggling a lot, in FP3 in particular, and we made a couple of steps forward. The race pace is not too bad at all we just need a bit more time on the bike. The circuit here is really hard. If you make just a couple of small mistakes in places it costs you all the way round. It’s been good to learn so far and I think I’ll be stronger tomorrow.”

Brad Binder starts 13th after just missing out on Q2. The South African is aiming to wrap up Rookie of the Year and has a 20-point advantage over Alex Marquez. Marquez would need to win to take the honour, and he starts 16th
Aleix Espargaro – P14

“Unfortunately, having missed out on going straight through to Q2 threw a spanner in our plans. In FP3, we were really close. My pace is some consolation for me, since I didn’t see any other riders with a decidedly better one than mine, so I think I’ll be able to make up positions in the race. This is not the best circuit for overtaking, but there are some possibilities, especially if we are able to exploit the strong points of the RS-GP.”

Pecco Bagnaia – P15

“Today I struggled a lot, starting from this far back is always very complicated. I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to express myself as I would have liked but with the team we are trying to understand how we can improve to have a good race tomorrow.”

Alex Marquez – P16

“It was a difficult Quali, I tried to get a bit of slipstream to improve but couldn’t find it. On the last lap I really went for it, but I found a bit of traffic, this is just how it is sometimes. Free Practice 4 was good for us and we found more of a direction to follow for the tyres for the race but we need to do a bit of work in Warm Up to be sure. The goal is to enjoy the race and recover as many positions as possible.”

Alex Marquez
Valentino Rossi – P17

“Yesterday was a difficult day. Getting familiarised with the track took longer than I expected, because I like the track a lot. Yesterday we tried some things to improve the grip, but I lost the feeling. I was very slow and I also lost time because I crashed. Today was a bit better. We worked in a better way and also in the afternoon we made a step compared to the morning, especially concerning the race pace, which is not so bad. But, anyway, I’m a bit behind. We will see tomorrow, because there‘s a group of riders who have a similar pace to mine, so I will try to fight with them. It’s a difficult track where nobody has raced before. You can learn a track during practice sessions, but in a race it will be different with all the other bikes. That can bring some surprises. It’s not easy to overtake here, so the start and first laps will be important.”

Valentino Rossi
Danilo Petrucci – P18

“It’s been a complicated day. Unfortunately, I still can’t get a good feeling with the bike on this track. We are working hard to try to find a good setup. Now we will do some more tests in the warm-up tomorrow morning. Hopefully, we can find some solutions that will allow me to fight for the top ten and have a good race tomorrow”.

Lorenzo Savadori – P19

“My feeling continues to improve and I’m happy about that. My pace isn’t bad. I still struggle with confidence when the tank is full, so it will be important not to lose too much ground in the early laps tomorrow. We did some tests where that is concerned, thanks to the fact that I’m getting used to working with two bikes. It seems like a simple thing, but it actually changes the work method entirely compared to having a single bike. However, in qualifying I could have done more. As I already mentioned, when it comes to finding that last 10% of performance on the flying lap, I still don’t have perfect sensations, and in this championship, it’s the details that make the difference.”

Joan Mir – P20

“It was a really difficult day because I had some issues with the bike and I wasn’t able to get the same feeling I had yesterday. Once we discovered the problem it was too late to do anything about it and I’d already missed out on final qualifying. But in general I have been feeling good here, so I am confident that the Team and I can put everything together tomorrow to regain my good pace and have a strong comeback.”

2020 MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir is 20th, equalling his worst MotoGP qualifying from the Italian GP last year. He’s the first rider to win the premier class title without a pole during the season since Wayne Rainey in 1992.
Tito Rabat – P21

“Today we have taken a step forward compared to yesterday, we have improved our best lap by almost a second which means that the team has done a good job. I’m very motivated for tomorrow, apart from being the last race of the year because Joan (Mir) starts right in front of me so I hope I can have fun with him for a few laps even if it is.”

Mika Kallio – P22

“It was harder as we expected. It seems to be really difficult to improve, even if I did of course a lot of laps today and more than yesterday, I thought I get better used to the bike, the tyres and especially to the track, but in the end, the lap time didn’t really arrive. It was similar as yesterday, which is a bit weird. My riding apparently is not on the level to get the tyres working and I feel like the bike is on the limit all the time. This is the main thing and it’s hard to say, how to go through that. Of course, everything comes from my side, but somehow I must be able to push more and stress the tyres more in order to get the temperature in and generate the grip. There are many things. I knew it’s going to be difficult, but maybe it’s slightly more complicated than I expected.”


Team Managers

Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Team Director

We expected that this recently resurfaced track was going to provide us with good grip, but apparently this isn’t the case. We are mostly lacking consistency in the grip level that we get from the tyres. Some are working, but others not so much. This is affecting the behaviour of our bikes a lot. Maverick was feeling very comfortable yesterday, but this morning in FP3 less so. In FP4 he did a good run, but in qualifying the grip was once again not as good as it needs to be. We will try to analyse the data we collected today more deeply to understand how we can manage the problem. Today Valentino was feeling better on the bike compared to yesterday. He also found an improvement between FP3 and FP4, but he needs another step for tomorrow’s race. He has mentioned some areas he would like to improve, so that’s what we’ll work on. The Warm Up will give us an important indication of what the race will be like.

Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager

“Today wasn’t easy. Alex had a good FP3 this morning but during the qualifying he couldn’t get higher than 10th. Joan suffered a bit with a lack of confidence in qualifying, because he didn’t have the same feeling with the bike as he had yesterday, when he felt really good. His grid spot is a long way back, but we know that with a good feeling he can still have a nice race and gain positions.”

Joan Mir

MotoGP Qualifying Results

Pos Rider Bike Q Time/Gap
1 Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM Q2 1m38.892
2 Franco MORBIDELLI YAMAHA Q2 +0.044
3 Jack MILLER DUCATI Q2 +0.146
4 Cal CRUTCHLOW HONDA Q2 +0.264
5 Fabio QUARTARARO YAMAHA Q2 +0.307
6 Stefan BRADL HONDA Q2 +0.312
7 Johann ZARCO DUCATI Q2 +0.346
8 Maverick VIÑALES YAMAHA Q2 +0.368
9 Pol ESPARGARO KTM Q2 +0.392
10 Alex RINS SUZUKI Q2 +0.575
11 Takaaki NAKAGAMI HONDA Q2 +0.639
12 Andrea DOVIZIOSO DUCATI Q2 +0.695
13 Brad BINDER KTM Q1 (*) 0.140
14 Aleix ESPARGARO APRILIA Q1 (*) 0.512
15 Francesco BAGNAIA DUCATI Q1 (*) 0.769
16 Alex MARQUEZ HONDA Q1 (*) 0.799
17 Valentino ROSSI YAMAHA Q1 (*) 0.808
18 Danilo PETRUCCI DUCATI Q1 (*) 0.841
19 Lorenzo SAVADORI APRILIA Q1 (*) 0.924
20 Joan MIR SUZUKI Q1 (*) 1.040
21 Tito RABAT DUCATI Q1 (*) 1.177
22 Mika KALLIO KTM Q1 (*) 2.503

Moto2

Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) stormed Saturday at the Grande Premio MEO de Portugal, the Australian taking his second pole of the season as he beat Championship challenger Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) to the top by a tenth. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up) starts third, with Enea Bastianini and Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) shuffled back to head the second row and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) down in 12th.

In Q1 it was all eyes on Bezzecchi as the man fourth overall – who needs to win to have any chance at the crown – found himself on the back foot, but the Italian moved through with Bo Bendsneyder (NTS RW Racing GP), Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) joining him, the fight for the top 18 on.

2020 Portimao Moto2 front row
1 Remy Gardner – ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team – Kalex 1:42.592
2 Luca Marini – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex +0.118
3 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Beta Tools Speed Up – Speed Up +0.129

Job done for Bezzecchi, Q2 began. Right at the start, there was drama at the exit of Turn 8. Aron Canet (Pull&Bear Aspar Team Moto2) crashed and slid down the hill but thankfully, no one collected the Spaniard or his stricken Speed Up machine; disaster avoided.

Q1 graduate Bulega sat top of the tree in the opening stages before Augusto Fernandez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) then took over, but it wasn’t long until some key title contenders began a charge. Marini was first of them to the summit before injured Lowes produced a wonderful 1:42.759 to go provisional pole instead.

Fernandez made it an EG 0,0 Marc VDS 1-2 with seven minutes to go, before Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP 40) shoved Marini off the front row. However, the man third in the title race was on a flyer: three red splits came before an orange fourth sector for Marini put the VR46 Academy rider in P2. On his next lap, Marini changed the number next to his name to a one to take back provisional pole.

The new time to beat was a 1:42.710 with just over two minutes to go, with Bastianini floundering down in P16. Lowes pulled into pitlane sitting P3, his afternoon’s work seemingly done as the Brit waited to see how the dice would roll.

That’s when Gardner struck as the Aussie then suddenly shot to pole, but there seemed to be an absolute stunner coming in from Di Giannantonio. The Italian was three tenths under and looked like he would challenge, but Gardner’s stunner of a final sector was a gauntlet thrown down too far for the Italian. He ultimately stayed third as Bastianini began his comeback just down the road.

The Italian improved to eighth to leap up into at least a better postcode, but he wasn’t done yet. Despite the enormous pressure, the Championship leader kept it calm and collected to improve yet again on his final lap. It looked to challenge for pole as the ‘Beast’ was 0.004 off in Sector 3, but over the line the number 33 slotted into fourth. A job well done and, crucially, ahead of closest challenger Lowes.

That was it, and no one had an answer for Gardner. The Australian bags his second pole of the season and his fourth front row of 2020 to beat Marini as the Italian returns to the front row for the first time since his Catalan GP pole. Di Giannantonio will line-up on the front row ahead of the top two in the title race: Bastianini and Lowes. Three of the top four will battle it out on Sunday from the front so the stage is set for an absolute thriller!

Martin comes through Q1 to pocket a second row start in P6, the Valencia GP winner edging out Bulega by 0.047 seconds. The latter will spearhead the third row and is joined by Fernandez and Marcos Ramirez (Tennor American Racing), with Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top 10. Garzo was 11th ahead of the final title contender: Bezzecchi. The Italian came through Q1 and will start from P12 in an outside bid to claim the World Championship on Sunday afternoon, the race a true hero or zero as he has to win to stand any chance at the crown.

Remy Gardner – P1

The fourth sector has been positive for us all weekend! We struggled yesterday a bit in Sector 3 so we studied telemetry and the videos really hard, we managed to improve Sectors 2 and 3. Sector 1 we’re not the strongest yet, hopefully tomorrow morning we can find a little bit more in Sector 1, maybe change my riding a bit through Turn 1. But I knew if I could get to Sector 3 at +0, I could get pole because Sector 4 is quite good for us. The team worked really well over the last two day, I love the track, it’s just so much fun and I enjoy riding the bike every lap round here. It’s a good starting position for tomorrow, let’s see what we can do and hopefully finish back on the podium to give the team the result they deserve.

Remy Gardner

Moto2 Qualifying Results

Pos Rider Bike Q Time/Gap
1 Remy GARDNER KALEX Q2 1m42.592
2 Luca MARINI KALEX Q2 +0.118
3 Fabio DI GIANNANTONI SPEED UP Q2 +0.129
4 Enea BASTIANINI KALEX Q2 +0.130
5 Sam LOWES KALEX Q2 +0.167
6 Jorge MARTIN KALEX Q2 +0.206
7 Nicolò BULEGA KALEX Q2 +0.253
8 Augusto FERNANDEZ KALEX Q2 +0.279
9 Marcos RAMIREZ KALEX Q2 +0.313
10 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA KALEX Q2 +0.401
11 Hector GARZO KALEX Q2 +0.412
12 Marco BEZZECCHI KALEX Q2 +0.421
13 Xavi VIERGE KALEX Q2 +0.438
14 Jorge NAVARRO SPEED UP Q2 +0.444
15 Aron CANET SPEED UP Q2 +0.447
16 Bo BENDSNEYDER NTS Q2 +0.470
17 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI   ITA KALEX Q2 +0.485
18 Joe ROBERTS KALEX Q2 +0.580
19 Stefano MANZI MV AGUSTA Q1 (*) 0.529
20 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA KALEX Q1 (*) 0.603
21 Marcel SCHROTTER KALEX Q1 (*) 0.702
22 Dominique AEGERTER NTS Q1 (*) 0.782
23 Edgar PONS KALEX Q1 (*) 1.008
24 Thomas LUTHI KALEX Q1 (*) 1.014
25 Simone CORSI MV AGUSTA Q1 (*) 1.105
26 Andi Farid IZDIHAR KALEX Q1 (*) 1.177
27 Somkiat CHANTRA KALEX Q1 (*) 1.231
28 Hafizh SYAHRIN SPEED UP Q1 (*) 1.261
29 Kasma DANIEL KALEX Q1 (*) 2.890

Moto3

Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will sign off his brief but successful Moto3 career from another pole position, the Spaniard hitting the competition for six in the Grande Premio MEO de Portugal for pole number six. Rookie of the Year Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) will start second, with Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) taking third and his first front row of the year.

There were some big Championship dramas just behind that. Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) didn’t make it through Q1 and faces a fight for the crown from P27 on the grid, and Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) left it until a last lap dash to move through. The Japanese rider kept it together to take fifth in Q2 however, and will start just ahead of Championship leader Albert Arenas (Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3).

2020 Portimao Moto3 front row
1 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM 1:48.051
2 Jeremy Alcoba – Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 – Honda +0.185
3 Ayumu Sasaki – Red Bull KTM Tech 3 – KTM +0.240

Q1 was a tense one right to the last as lady luck looked kindly on one contender and not the other, Ogura slicing through on his final attempt – when he’d not even set a time before that – to take third and move through, and Arbolino not managing to pull anything out the hat, trapped in traffic and rolling off. And so, the Italian starts P27. In the end, Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power) topped the session from Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), with Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) fourth behind Ogura.

Q2 saw chaos reign for many as well, but Fernandez started and ended the session on top. The Spaniard set the first fastest lap before Sasaki hit back and then Alcoba, the three asserting their pace from the off, but Fernandez had something left in the locker as he put in a 1:48.051 for provisional pole. That remained unchallenged to the end, an impressive lap and ahead of that aforementioned chaos.

For one big group of riders, the intention was to cross the line for their final push right before the flag. The reality was that most missed the cut by millimetres, and lost the chance at a final push. One of the only men to improve late on was Ogura, however, as the Championship contender once again proved his mettle with a late dash. It was enough for fifth, just ahead of Arenas and behind fellow Q1 graduate Tatsuki Suzuki on Row 2.

Antonelli heads Row 3, another Q1 runner getting the job done, with Leopard Racing’s Dennis Foggia and Jaume Masia in eighth and ninth, respectively. However, both the Leopard machines must do two Long Lap penalties in the race for irresponsible riding in FP2 on Friday.

Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) took tenth despite a crash, with Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) joining him on Row 4. Barry Baltus (CarXpert PrüstelGP) took a best ever P13 on the grid, with Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) alongside him. Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia) was 15th fastest, although he is another with a penalty to serve in the race, although a single Long Lap in his case.

Raul Fernandez

It’s amazing, incredible. I end my life in Moto3 with a pole position, I hope tomorrow we can do minimum a podium, I will fight for the victory and I’m very happy to be here in my last race here. It was important to start from the first place. It was a really difficult session, windy, and it was difficult to ride with the wind but I’m happy. For the race we need to enjoy it!”

Moto3 Qualifying Results

Pos Rider Motorcycle Q Gap
1 Raul FERNANDEZ KTM Q2 1m48.051
2 Jeremy ALCOBA HONDA Q2 +0.185
3 Ayumu SASAKI KTM Q2 +0.240
4 Tatsuki SUZUKI HONDA Q2 +0.291
5 Ai OGURA HONDA Q2 +0.315
6 Albert ARENAS KTM Q2 +0.427
7 Niccolò ANTONELLI HONDA Q2 +0.478
8 Dennis FOGGIA HONDA Q2 +0.842
9 Jaume MASIA HONDA Q2 +0.859
10 Gabriel RODRIGO HONDA Q2 +0.869
11 Deniz ÖNCÜ KTM Q2 +0.874
12 Sergio GARCIA HONDA Q2 +0.954
13 Barry BALTUS KTM Q2 +0.999
14 Celestino VIETTI KTM Q2 +1.487
15 Yuki KUNII HONDA Q2 +1.845
16 Andrea MIGNO KTM FP3 /
17 Kaito TOBA KTM FP3 /
18 Darryn BINDER KTM Q1 /
19 John MCPHEE HONDA Q1 (*) 0.853
20 Adrian FERNANDEZ HONDA Q1 (*) 0.913
21 Khairul Idham PAWI HONDA Q1 (*) 0.957
22 Stefano NEPA KTM Q1 (*) 0.981
23 Romano FENATI HUSQVARNA Q1 (*) 0.986
24 Maximilian KOFLER KTM Q1 (*) 1.069
25 Riccardo ROSSI KTM Q1 (*) 1.089
26 Alonso LOPEZ HUSQVARNA Q1 (*) 1.288
27 Tony ARBOLINO HONDA Q1 (*) 1.513
28 Davide PIZZOLI KTM Q1 (*) 1.763
29 Carlos TATAY KTM Q1 (*) 1.854
30 Jason DUPASQUIER KTM Q1 (*) 2.032
31 Ryusei YAMANAKA HONDA Q1 (*) 2.212

MotoGP World Championship Standings

Pos Rider Bike Points
1 Joan MIR Suzuki 171
2 Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha 142
3 Alex RINS Suzuki 138
4 Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha 127
5 Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha 125
6 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati 125
7 Pol ESPARGARO KTM 122
8 Jack MILLER Ducati 112
9 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 105
10 Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM 100
11 Brad BINDER KTM 87
12 Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati 78
13 Johann ZARCO Ducati 71
14 Alex MARQUEZ Honda 67
15 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha 62
16 Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati 47
17 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 34
18 Cal CRUTCHLOW Honda 29
19 Iker LECUONA KTM 27
20 Stefan BRADL Honda 18
21 Bradley SMITH Aprilia 12
22 Tito RABAT Ducati 10
23 Michele PIRRO Ducati 4

MotoGP Constructors Championship

Pos Constructor Points
1 SUZUKI 201
2 DUCATI 201
3 YAMAHA 188
4 KTM 175
5 HONDA 133
6 APRILIA 43

MotoGP Team Championship

Pos Team Points
1 TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR 309
2 PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT 230
3 RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING 209
4 DUCATI TEAM 203
5 MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP 169
6 PRAMAC RACING 163
7 LCR HONDA 134
8 RED BULL KTM TECH 3 127
9 REPSOL HONDA TEAM 85
10 ESPONSORAMA RACING 81
11 APRILIA RACING TEAM GRESINI 46

Source: MCNews.com.au