Remy Gardner sets the pace in the first of three days that will close the 2021 pre-season, with Raul Fernandez adapting well to Moto2.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team got the three-day Official Test in Qatar underway on Friday, beginning their final preparations for the 2021 World Championship season. Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez showed that they are ready for action, with the Australian clocking the best time of the day and his teammate 10th on his first visit to Losail with a Moto2 bike.

The team decided not to participate in the morning session, instead waiting for the track conditions to improve and more closely resemble those of the upcoming race. From there, Gardner and Fernandez made the most of a second practice in which both were very strong. The Australian rider accumulated 19 laps and finished with the second fastest time – 2:00.432 -, one tenth off the top spot. His teammate continued to demonstrate his rapid adaptation to Moto2, going fourth quickest – 2:00.618.

In the afternoon, the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo continued to have a good feeling, with both setting their personal best of the day. Gardner was the fastest rider in both the session and in the combined timesheets thanks to a 1:59.074, from his 22nd lap of 24. On the other side of the box, Fernandez dedicated his 19 laps to consolidating his knowledge of the intermediate class. The Spaniard ended the day in 10th position, with a 1:59.990.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team will remain in Qatar until Sunday, when the pre-season test ends. They will be back at the Losail International Circuit for the opening race of the year.

DAY 1 – COMBINED SESSIONS
1. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.074
2. Aron Canet (Boscoscuro) 1:59.343 +0.269
3. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:59.554 +0.480
4. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:59.574 +0.500
5. Nicolo Bulega (Kalex) 1:59.583 +0.509
10. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.990 +0.916

 

#87 Remy Gardner
“Overall, it was a good day for us. We tried out different lines and, although we have to continue working to improve some aspects, I’m satisfied. We still have two more days of testing that we hope to make the most of, in order to arrive prepared for the first two rounds of the season. I want to thank the team for everything they are doing.”

#25 Raul Fernandez
“It was a positive day. I adapted to the Moto2 very quickly thanks to the great work that the team did, which is making things easy for me. For tomorrow and the remainder of the test in Qatar, the objective will be to work with new tyres, which is when it is most difficult for us to get good performance from the bike. Overall, I’m happy. Now it’s time to keep trying our best to improve more and more.”