Remy Gardner qualifies second on Saturday in Qatar

03/04/2021

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider earns a spot on the front row, with teammate Raul Fernandez just behind in fourth place.

 

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders had to cope with adverse conditions on Saturday at the Doha GP, with winds reaching 40km/h and a large amount of dust accumulating on the track. Nevertheless, Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez produced a great performance to qualify in second and fourth position, respectively. The Australian will start from the front row of the grid and try to repeat his podium finish from last week. On Row 2, Fernandez continues to show his perfect adaptation to the Moto2 class.

A conservative attitude was adopted in FP3, due to the strong gusts of wind and dust that made it difficult for the riders to see at the end of the session. Despite the tough weather conditions, Gardner was able to finish third with a time of 2:01.127, from 15 laps of the Qatari track. Fernandez avoided taking risks in a practice that he ended 23rd, after stopping the clock at 2:02.547 on his third attempt of a total of eight.

After no rider improved on their times from Friday in FP3, the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair secured spots in Q2. Both were involved in the fight for pole position, in which Gardner placed second with a final 1:59.192 hot lap and was just 1 tenth off the top spot. Fernandez sprung another surprise in his rookie year in Moto2 and finished fourth, with a time of 1:59.441.

The 20-lap Moto2 Doha Grand Prix takes place tomorrow at 6:20 PM local time.

 

Results (Qualifying day)

1. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:59.055
2. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.192 +0.137
3. Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex) 1:59.327 +0.272
4. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.441 +0.386
5. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:59.443 +0.388

 

87 REMY GARDNER

“Being among the top riders is always our goal. Last Sunday, I had problems starting from further back and I was swallowed up by the group, so we improved in this regard and now we are on the front row of the grid. However, the important thing is tomorrow’s race. I’m very happy with the bike and the team, and I am looking forward to this second contest in Qatar. It seems that the conditions will be like those we had last week. Personally, I feel strong even with the wind, but we have to be focused in order to finish without making any mistakes. It will be difficult, that’s for sure. We will try to get the maximum amount of points possible.”

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“If you had told me this morning that I would be on the second row of the grid, I would have taken it. We have pace, which we already showed yesterday. With the high winds today and the sand on the track, I found things a little more difficult since the grip level was not the same. We have to concentrate on improving in these conditions. Overall, we are doing a good job and we are consistent, which I’m happy about. Today we fulfilled our objective, which was to qualify at the front of the field, so I feel ready for the race. We will have to see what weather conditions we have tomorrow. I hope I can fight for the top positions, although the top three are very strong this weekend.”

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