Gardner heads for Italy after positive French outing

This weekend sees Remy Gardner heading for the Cremona Circuit’s WSBK debut round in Italy, whilst his speculative and intriguing long shot at a return to MotoGP didn’t eventuate after fellow Aussie Jack Miller filled the final 2025 seat with Yamaha.

A rider for the GTYR GRY Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Gardner found himself back in MotoGP for a couple of rounds for the Yamaha team in Germany and England back in July/August, with some speculative talk that he might be considered for the incoming 2025 Pramac Yamaha squad.

At the time, Gardner said, “Let’s see how things play out. But I’m not thinking about it too much.” 

Gardner returned to MotoGP for the injured Alex Rins at German GP, and also appeared at Silverstone the following round

But as it’s played out, he’ll be honouring his contract in the WSBK, but that’s not something he’ll be to concerned about, as he also said at the time that he’s loving his time on the SuperBikes: “I think I’m going to be staying where I am….It’s going so well and I’m enjoying myself. In the future I can see myself fighting for those titles as well. We’ll see.”

The former KTM MotoGP rider appears to be in a really good place after he admitted that his 2022 axing was tough to take. And after his subsequent first year struggles in WSBK, it’s great to see him finding the consistency that he needs to be showing for a rider of his talent.

With his confidence growing and with four rounds still remaining this season, 2025 could be another really positive year for the Sydney born 26-year old.

After a pretty solid weekend at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in Round 8 with finishes of ninth and sixth, Gardner heads for the Italian round at the Cremona Circuit in Lombardy.

“We achieved our goal in the sprint (in France) and I was able to start from the third row in Race 2.,” he reflected.

“Then, our race pace was not so bad and I could enjoy some good battles to finish with a sixth position. We’re looking for more, but considering where we started, we should take this as a good Sunday.”

In a year that saw him get his maiden WSBK podium, Gardner has found a regular footing in the top-ten, and is now sitting ninth in the championship with four rounds left in 2024, whilst this weekend poses a new challenge.

Gardner testing at the Cremona Circuit in Lombardy, Italy, in May where he topped the timesheets

And although Gardner has never raced at the Cremona Circuit, he did have a test session there in May where he put down the fastest lap time outright in his #87 YZF-R1.

“I think Cremona could be an interesting round. It’s a new venue and almost everyone will race for the first time here, so anything could happen,” Gardner said. 

“In May we enjoyed a very positive test session there, so I’m looking forward to hitting the track as I’m confident we could enjoy a strong weekend in Italy.”

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.