Gardner ‘extremely happy’ after Moto2™ podium finish
Monday, 24 August 2020
Pole position one week, podium the next.
Australia’s Remy Gardner has bounced back from the disappointment of his DNF at last week’s Austrian GP to claim the second World Championship podium of his career at the Styrian GP.
The ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team rider, who started from sixth on the grid despite a crash in qualifying, crossed the line in third place on Sunday, in the second of two consecutive Moto2™ races at the Red Bull Ring.
Gardner showed excellent pace throughout both weekends in Austria, with Sunday’s result giving the 22-year-old Aussie a boost after he failed to convert pole position into points last week.
One thing we do know, @GardnerRemy is on the podium in third! 🥉#Moto2 | #AustrianGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/F18tEyL8NM
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 23, 2020
“We worked well on Friday, especially on race pace so I would say it was a positive opening day,” said Gardner.
“I was on pole last weekend but the mission this weekend was to get onto the top two rows, and we did that.
“Overall, I was quite happy – I found the limit towards the end of qualifying and had a small crash, but it’s better to crash not in the race.
“I am extremely happy with the work that we have done here in Austria. The team has done a great job and we have been able to show our potential both over one lap and over race distance.
“It’s a shame about last weekend as I really think we could have made it two podiums, but today makes up for it.
“I gave it everything, especially on the brakes, so we need to find some more straight-line speed but as I say, overall, I am really happy to get this podium.
“Big thanks to everyone who is supporting me, my sponsors, and the fans. Let’s hope we can keep this momentum when we move to Misano!”
Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the chequered flag but was demoted to second place after exceeding track limits, which gave Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) his maiden Moto2™ victory.
The podium finish was Gardner’s first since March last year in Argentina.
Moto2™ returns for the San Marino GP – the first of two races at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – on 11-13 September.
Moto2™ 2020 World Championship Standings
- Luca Marini - 87
- Enea Bastianini - 79
- Jorge Martin - 79
- Tetsuta Nagashima - 68
- Marco Bezzecchi - 65
- Sam Lowes - 59
- Xavi Vierge - 46
- Aron Canet - 43
- Remy Gardner - 41
- Joe Roberts - 39
