WAYNE GARDNER EXPECTS HIS SON TO SHINE IN MOTOGP

Australian motorcycle legend Wayne Gardner has heaped praise on his son Remy, who sits at the top of the 2021 Moto2 World Championship ahead of a move to MotoGP next season.

Speaking to the media at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, the 1987 500cc Motorcycle World Championship winner was confident of a successful transition between Moto2 and MotoGP.

“I’m sure we’re going to see him do very well in MotoGP,” Wayne Gardner predicted.

“The bigger the bike for Remy the better because he’s a heavy sized lad.

“The smaller bikes like Moto3 he was way too heavy, Moto2 he just gets by but in MotoGP they’ve got so much power, it’s not going to be a problem for him.

“I think he’s going to be very strong and as quick as all these young guys.”

The junior Gardner finished sixth in Moto2 last year, recording a breakthrough win in the final round of the season.

Wayne has identified significant improvement in his son since joining Red Bull KTM Ajo from Onexox TKKR SAG in 2021.

“Since Remy joined Aki (Ajo) he’s refined what he’s got, he’s got a lot of talent Remy and it was never focused in the right areas,” Gardner said.

“By getting with Aki, he changed the psychological way he does things.

“Aki puts a very good bike and team under Remy.”

Remy has taken the competition by storm this year to lead the standings by 19 points over teammate Raul Fernandez with seven rounds remaining.

Wayne Gardner expects his son to shine in MotoGP – Image: Motorsport Images

The 23-year-old won three consecutive Grand Prix’s in Italy, Catalunya and Germany, and has tallied eight podium finishes over 11 rounds.

Such a stream of results has Gardner ready to step up to the elite level in 2022, and Wayne is pleased to see how his son has matured and taken the next step this year.

“I’ve always known he’s super talented, but it’s good to see that the results are coming. I’m very proud,” Gardner shared.

“I think he’s been extremely intelligent, what he’s done this year is remarkable.

“He’s very well controlled this year. He’s got confidence, the best equipment and best people around him.

“I’m sure we’re going to see him win more races this year.”

Remy clearly has strong family racing pedigree. Alongside the 1987 triumph, Wayne was consistently competing for the 500cc world title in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Following his motorcycle career, Gardner switched to four wheels in the Australian Touring Car Championship.

The Order of Australia recipient had simple advice for Remy to close out the current season.

“This season my advice is finish every race, keep it up on the wheels,” Gardner said.

“Ride hard, ride fast but bring it home, because it’s a long season.

“It’s over 20 odd Grand Prix’s. If you fall and get hurt, you take the risk of not being able to do the next race or two.”

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