After enduring heartbreak in the Superpole Race, Remy Gardner clinches his inaugural WorldSBK podium.
Despite being quick enough to claim his first WorldSBK podium during the Superpole Race, Remy Gardner lost out on third place at the final corner of lap ten when Alex Lowes made a decisive move on the inside of the GRT Yamaha rider.
Visibly disappointed, Gardner crossed the finish line in despair at missing out on his maiden podium finish.
Despite the initial disappointment, the former Moto2 world champion swiftly rebounded to deliver his most impressive performance yet in the Superbike class.
Enduring drama with rain and a tightly contested lead group, Gardner remained steadfast in the top positions, engaging in fierce battles with formidable competitors like Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Although his late attempt to snatch second from Bautista fell short, the Australian managed to distance himself from any immediate threats after leaving Andrea Iannone and fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli behind.
Reflecting on breaking his podium drought, Gardner expressed relief, saying, “Finally! It was really tough last year, despite showing some speed and glimpses of hope. The first few races didn’t go as planned, and luck hasn’t been on our side.
But finally, everything has come together, and we’ve had an amazing weekend. We’ve been fast throughout, and I believe we could have secured at least two podiums this weekend.”
“I have no complaints. Finally breaking the curse feels amazing. It’s been a few years of longing for a podium, but that drought has come to an end. It was tough, but I’m thrilled to be spraying champagne again.”
As light rain began to fall in Race 2, the lead exchanged hands multiple times as some riders started taking more risks. However, Gardner remained composed amidst the chaos and ultimately showcased superior pace over his competitors.
“Everyone was easing off the throttle, and I did the same,” Gardner explained. “It felt a bit nerve-wracking at times. I didn’t do anything reckless, but a few guys managed to overtake me. When Locatelli passed me, then Iannone did too. However, once the track started drying up, I found my rhythm and could pull away.”
Although Gardner eventually secured his podium, the Superpole Race left the former MotoGP rider frustrated with himself.
“I was kicking myself, to be honest. Yesterday was just luck, but today I was really disappointed with my performance,” Gardner admitted. “Leaving the door open like that… what an idiot I thought I was. Alex [Lowes] rode a solid race. It was an eventful race, but the tire was completely worn out.”
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