Perhaps last Sunday we witnessed one of the events that is difficult to imagine in principle in this world: for the first time in the 70-year history of official motorsport – the son of MotoGP Legend Wayne Gardner, Remy became the leader of the Moto Grand Prix World Championship in the class Moto2.
The Portimão podium was the fourth in a row for Remy Gardner, the third in a row since the start of the 2021 season. Gardner Jr. immediately showed a desire to fight, at least for a place in the top three, but also for a victory with Sam Lowes. This season from the very beginning in some way echoes the historical events of 1986-87.
Wayne Gardner with his son Remy at the Phillip Island Circuit starting straight, 2018 Wayne Gardner leads the World Championship Moto Grand Prix in the Royal 500cc class. May 4, 1986, winning the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jaram circuit. Wayne had every chance of winning that championship, but Eddie Lawson, like Sam Lawson (even the names of these riders are consonant!), Had an incredible winning streak, winning 7 out of 11 Grand Prix held that year.
Eddie Lawson (Yamaha # 1) and Wayne Gardner (Honda # 2), 1987 Sr. Gardner lost the lead to Lawson at the next stage, they went 1-2 until the final in Misano. Obviously, Lawson prevailed in the championship, like Sam Laws this year: even the fall and loss of points at the race in Assen did not stop Eddie – he became the champion, Gardner Sr – the vice-champion. But the desire to take the title remained, and Wayne took the Premier Class title in 1987.
A father should be proud of his son. But could it be otherwise? Wayne turned Remy into the person we know: in total, the investments that the Gardners had to make in Remy’s future exceeded 2.5 million euros. When Remy first got on a motorcycle at the age of 4 and started showing good results in Australia, Wayne immediately decided that they would not achieve anything at home. Wayne sold everything he had, borrowed more money and moved with his son to Europe. By the time Remy Gardner made his Moto3 debut, Wayne had already spent about 2 million euros. The family received their first “cashback” only in 2021, when Remi signed a contract with Ajo Racing.
Remy Gardner, Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 Remy Gardner started from the front line and snatched 3rd place in a fight with American Joe Roberts. Thanks to a run to the podium, Gardner took the lead in the Moto2 general classification with a 6-point lead over Portuguese Grand Prix winner Raul Fernandez, team-mate in Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Double Podiums in Portimao: Fernandez vs. Gardner There is a long and very tense title fight going on because unlike in 1986, Gardner will have more than one real competitor. He understands this well: “I have become the leaders of the championship – this is an incredible feeling, because this is the first time in my life. But to be honest, I expected more from today’s race – said Remy Gardner. – Considering how I conducted the qualification, I had a good chance of winning. But I’ve made too many unforgivable mistakes. So it was a tough day. And it became especially difficult because of the heat: at some point I began to worry that I would not be able to finish above the TOP-5. Therefore, I am glad to be on the podium and congratulate Raul on his first victory: it seems that now we will often intersect not only in the Red Bull KTM Ajo box, but (hopefully) in the closed park after the finish! “