It’s official: Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be a Tech3 KTM Factory Racing rider in MotoGP™ in 2022. The Australian becomes the latest rider from Down Under to cement his place on motorcycle racing’s elite stage, and two very well-known Australian premier class Grand Prix title winners have shared their excitement on the news.
Wayne Gardner, the father of Remy and a 500cc World Champion in 1987, is over the moon that his son’s dreams have come true. Wayne, of course, played an important role in Remy's rise to Grand Prix racing and can’t wait to see him race in the premier class.
“I certainly think that he’s proved himself, the speed and control. He’s improved a lot over the last 12 months or more. He’s now with an amazing team with Aki and KTM and Red Bull, so I can understand why the results are so good,” comments Wayne Gardner.
“Remy is very talented and has a big future but it’s just a pleasure to see him getting the results now. Having the opportunity to join MotoGP next year is his dream and goal in life. I’m super happy for him, for him to realise his dream, I think that’s everyone’s love in life for that to happen. He’s done that and I know he has the talent and potential to do a very good job next year, I’m sure he’ll be up the front somewhere and I know how much talent he’s got, I’ve known that since he was about two years of age.
Here comes Remy in to MotoGP in 2022,which will suit his size , weight and riding style ???????????????????? Go Go Remy G87 ???? https://t.co/nM8AiiqUfP
— Wayne M Gardner (@TheWayneGardner) June 2, 2021
“I used to put him down big slippery dips, huge ones, we’d catch him at the bottom – it was really scary to do – he’d fly off the end and we’d catch him, and he’d just go ‘more, more, more!’. Anything Remy does, from playing guitars to the mechanical side with cars and bikes, skateboarding, surfing… he’s a talented kid in all areas.
“I’ve been watching to see what he would do in life and he wanted to follow what I did. He tried it for the first time, I taught him how to start road racing and he was an exceptional talent straight away. We’ve been through a bumpy road the last few years getting with the right team and right bike and equipment, but he’s broken through and he’s doing a great job. I’m not surprised, but I’m also very proud of him.”
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CONTINUING THE FAMILY TRADITION: WHO IS REMY GARDNER?
“It’s great for Australia. The sport was more unknown before I became involved in MotoGP and became World Champion, and the sport now has its own venue in Australia, which came about because of my career, so I’m proud of that. And then came Mick and Casey and so on from there. I’m proud of the sport and what’s happened in Australia, and it’s great to see Jack doing so well.
“We all love Jack, I think he’s a great kid, a character and a typical Queensland Aussie! It’s great to have Remy joining next year. Australia has a lot to rejoice for, and they’ll have two competitors to follow now. I think it’s great for the sport generally and globally, and especially for Australia.
“It’s an honour and it’s my son out there too… as much as I’m scared to watch him, and nervous, I’m also very proud of him. Especially like last weekend winning at Mugello, it was a very smart race and calculated, I didn’t know if he could do it but he's sometimes proved to me he can do miracles! He’s very clever at it. I think there’s a lot of talent there, there’s more to come out of Remy, and I’m very excited for him and proud of him, and I wish him all the best. I know he’s going to do a great job for himself, the team and Australia.”
From one MotoGP™ Legend to another, five-time World Champion Mick Doohan echoes Wayne Gardner’s thoughts and is excited to see Remy Gardner steering a MotoGP™ bike next season.
“Fantastic news with Remy moving up to MotoGP, it was inevitable. He’s the man of the moment really, he’s doing everything he needs to do – a fairly decisive pass last weekend at Mugello. I think he has major potential on a MotoGP bike and I can’t wait to see him on one,” said Doohan.
“KTM also getting stronger and stronger, so it might be the right time to be joining them. Herve Poncharal and Tech3 have brought a lot of riders through so look, I’m excited, another Australian on the grid which is fantastic for us. I look forward to watching him progress rapidly because I think he’s a different rider these days: very comfortable, very cool and measured. So I’m looking forward to seeing him perform at the highest level and I think he’ll do it quite well.”
Alongside Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), who recently penned a one-year contract extension with Ducati for 2022, Australia now has two riders to cheer on from next year onwards, with many tipping Gardner to be a real force in the premier class, just as Miller is proving to be.