GARDNER MOTO2 CHAMPION

Tenth place in the shortened Valencian Grand Prix finale was enough for Australian Remy Gardner to win the Moto2 World Championship.

In taking the title, he became the first Australian to win a motorcycle world championship since Casey Stoner won his second MotoGP crown in 2011.

By winning the intermediate class, Remy Gardner accomplished something his 500cc Motorcycle World Championship winning father Wayne never did, in fact an Aussie has not won second-tier class since Kel Carruthers in 1969.

Gardner knew he only needed to finish 13th or better to win the title, while nothing more than a win would do for his KTM Ajo teammate Raul Fernandez.

Under the immense pressure Gardner kept a cool calm head, stayed out of trouble and bought his Kalex home in 10th, with Fernandez winning the race, Gardner won the title by a slender four point margin.

The New South Welshman started the race in eighth position, while Fernandez was a row ahead in fifth.

At the start of the race the Spaniard made a great start and sat second by Turn 2, while Gardner remained in eighth when the red flag was thrown.

There was a multi-bike crash on the exit of Turn 2, fortunately all riders escaped uninjured, however oil had been spilt on the circuit and required a clean-up.

The race was shortened from 25 to 16 laps due to the lengthy delay, and would be a complete restart with all riders starting from their same grid slots.

Well not everyone… Pole sitter Simone Corsi suffered a mechanical issue on the warm up lap and cruelly was unable to start the race.

The restart for Fernandez was even stronger than his first attempt, he jumped up to second position behind his namesake Augusto Fernandez before he even got to Turn 1.

Gardner made a great start also, however on the opening lap opted on the side of caution and at the end of lap 1 he was safe and secure in ninth.

Out front his teammate, knowing only a win would do, was throwing everything at Augusto Fernandez.

The pair switched positions multiple times on lap 2 in what was a thrilling and fair fight, but this allowed Fabio Di Giannantonio into the fight.

The trio exchanged places on multiple occasions, while Gardner found himself pushed outside of the top 10 and into 11th.

Gardner was beginning to feel the pressure of the bikes behind, when former MotoGP rider, the retiring Thomas Luthi fell into his traps.

Gardner made an aggressive and decisive move at Turn 4 on lap 11, now in front of him was 2s of clear air.

On lap 13, out front Raul Fernandez made the decisive race winning pass on Di Giannantonio, and held on to take his eighth victory of the season.

Gardner came under pressure from his good mate and former teammate Tetsuta Nagashima on the final lap but did not crack.

Gardner had done enough to take his maiden Motorcycle World Championship at the age of 23.

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