TWO IN A ROW FOR GARDNER

Australian Remy Gardner’s rich vein of form has continued after winning his second Moto2 race in a row at Catalunya to extend his title lead back to KTM Ajo teammate Raul Fernandez.

Gardner’s back-to-back successes are the first for an Australian in MotoGP’s second-tier since Casey Stoner completed the feat in 2005.

Starting from pole, victory didn’t come easy for Gardner as challenges came from Fernandez and Bo Bendsneyder.

A strong start allowed Gardner to lead early, but Fernandez remained in touching distance until pouncing on lap 11, by sliding down the inside at Turn 1 as Bendsneyder kept a watching brief

Fernandez got in the tow of his teammate and made a fair and well executed move up the inside to take the lead.

The definitive pass came with three laps remaining when a late lunge from Gardner was successful at Turn 1 as he retook the lead, which he retained until the end.

In clear air, Gardner gapped Fernandez by 0.6s on the next lap before further extending the margin to 1.1s.

Two in a row for Remy Gardner – Image: Motorsport Images

Gardner crossed the line with a margin of 1.872s to his teammate Fernandez, the duo scoring the teams third 1-2 finish in a row.

“Today was tough for us, but I knew we could fight,” he admitted post-race.

“With yesterday’s pole, we started well and, on the opening laps, I was able to conserve my tyres – which helped me at the end of the race.”

“Raul [Fernandez] passed me and I thought we could up the pace, but it didn’t work out like that. I decided that on the last two laps I would try to overcome him and establish a gap.”

“The contest went very well for me, we achieved 25 points and it is the second victory in a row for us.”

By taking the victory, Gardner also extended his championship lead over Fernandez to 11-points.

Xavi Vierge came home third, scoring his first podium since Phillip Island in 2018 and secured Petronas Sprinta Racing’s maiden Moto2 rostrum.

Vierge held off VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi by 0.35s, while Augusto Fernandez rounded out the top five.

Bendsneyder faded late in the race dropping to sixth position, finishing just ahead of former championship leader Sam Lowes, Marcel Schrotter, Somkiat Chantra and Joe Roberts who rounded out the top 10.

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