Remy Gardner made a return to MotoGP last weekend as a wild card for Yamaha, but the Japanese Grand Prix was a difficult one for the Australian. With rainy conditions in Motegi, Gardner faced many challenges. Beyond the weather, the biggest obstacle was adapting to the medium tires, which forced him to qualify last and finish the race in last position, without scoring any points.
Gardner described his thoughts on the race and tire choices: “ I had tried it on Friday and felt pretty good, but not great. In the morning, I tried on the softs, and if I hadn’t made a mistake on the descent, I would have finished 15th. At the end of the race, everything was very tight, so I would have been better off using the soft ones. Maybe it was the best option. Otherwise, it was a long GP, in which I would have liked to fight more, but it was a difficult weekend for all Yamaha riders. »
Comparing the engine
Yamaha with that of
KTM on which he raced last year,
Gardner noted: “ the Austrian was more linear although quite aggressive. I don’t know if it’s the electronics, but overall, it was easier for me to ride.
Remy Gardner :
« the electronics do not give good sensations when you accelerate »
Then he specifies: “ with this engine, it’s more complicated, and electronics are also a critical point. In general, grip and handling have improved, but the electronics don’t give a good feeling when you accelerate. »
Gardner also discussed his near future in WorldSBK, explaining the challenges he faces: “ we come from two complex rounds and we have to find what we are missing.
I’m ten seconds faster than in 2023, but that doesn’t translate into results. We must take a step forward. It would be good to finish well in Jerez. »
Finally, Gardner revealed on motosan his plans for the winter break, explaining that he would undergo a back surgery in November: “
I was injured last year in Misano, during a wakeboard backflip. They gave me injections to manage the problem. It’s nothing important, but it will take me a month to recover. »
