MotoGP Mandalika: Track concerns for Gardner - ‘Turn two already starting to rip up’

Tech3’s Remy Gardner kicked his MotoGP career off to a fiery start in Qatar after a last lap tussle and subsequent ‘chat’ with Yamaha’s Darryn Binder.

The KTM rider claimed the final point on offer in the opening race of 2022, with Binder 0.012s behind at the line. While words were said after the flag, both riders remain calm in their approach going forward and understanding of the education in progress.

“I spoke to him after the race,” Gardner said of his fellow premier class rookie. “We had a nice conversation, it was okay. In the end he basically said ‘The bike was riding him more than he was riding the bike’ and I said, ‘Yeah, well, I can see!’

“I just said, ‘Look, just in the future, if you run wide or something, if you can’t ride the bike properly, just go that half a second less’. I think for his sake as well, to build on actually how to go faster, it’s probably a good idea to do that but anyway, should be better. As it was the first race you’ve got to give a little wiggle room so it was okay. It was a good chat so we’re on good terms.

“I think it was quite noble of him to listen as well,” he continued. “I think if someone else did the same, I’d listen to them and honestly, I felt if I did something wrong, I would apologise in the end as well. I think it’s just about having that mutual respect for everyone and I’m sure if I did the same to him, I’d keep my ears open and to try to learn. It’s the first race, first for him on a GP bike, first race for me as well so it’s understandable. We didn’t argue, it was just like a quick conversation that was it. No hard feelings and I’m sure it’s the same way back.”

Round two sees the paddock return to Indonesia and the Mandalika International Street Circuit, just five weeks