Aussie vows to keep title fight intact after horror highside at Spanish GP
The pain of a slam dunk highside that knocked Remy Gardner unconscious matched the hurt of stalling his sparkling start to the Moto2 championship. A brutal exit just one corner after the start of the Spanish GP left Gardner to ponder a lost opportunity to capitalise on his impressive race pace.
“Both the team and I thought we had the possibility of a podium, or even a win and that hurts,” said Gardner speaking to AMCN. “I want revenge in the next race at Le Mans.
“Baldassarri has pulled away in the points but it’s still really tight for third in the standings with a long way to go.”
This was Gardner’s first DNF after a scintillating start to the season in the opening three races including a career-first second place podium in Argentina. He maintains fifth in the standings with 38 points, just 10 points out of third, with Jerez race winner Lorenzo Baldassarri leading on 75.
Fastest overall after the three free practice sessions, the 21-year-old had qualified in fourth place after just missing out on a front-row start. When the lights went out, the Aussie got an excellent start, but just two corners later it all went pear shaped.
“I made a good start and was third in Turn One and on the exit I stood the bike more than usual but when I pinned it I lost all traction,” Gardner said. “It just crossed-up on me in a straight line and flicked me, no warning. That’s the last thing I remember.
“It was bit weird, I had some slides during the weekend but all were controllable.
“We have checked the data and I was on the gas only two metres earlier than my qualifying lap but on a straighter line.
“Maybe the tyre wasn’t up to temperature or a dirty line. Maybe too much too early.
“It’s unfortunate because I think this could have been our race.”
Gardner’s spill triggered a red flag, though Remy was unable to take part in the 15-lap restart after the concussion suffered in the crash ruled him unfit.
By Colin Young
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- Gardner, Spanish Moto2 2019
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- Remy Gardner crash, Moto2 race, Spanish MotoGP 2019
Wayne’s Pain
Wayne Gardner knows the bump and grind of racing better than most, but the 1987 500cc world champion can barely stand the emotional stress of watching his son Remy race.
Remy’s body bruising spill just seconds after the start of the Spanish GP was almost too much for his father, who was trackside at Jerez.
“It’s horrible, this was my first race this season and I see that,” Wayne Gardner told AMCN. “It’s not pleasant but this is the game and this is what Remy does, but I certainly won’t be going to the next race.
“But he’s riding really well, very fast and he’s been the star player so far this season in Moto2.”
Wayne Gardner, Czech MotoGP 2016