Gardner had anticipated “worse” from the KTM MotoGP bike

Remy Gardner, the reigning Moto2 world champion, confesses he “expected worse” from the KTM MotoGP bike he rode during the post-season Jerez test last week in preparation for his rookie season in 2022.

Gardner, who beat teammate Raul Fernandez to the Moto2 title this year, will ride for the Tech3 squad next season on a factory-backed KTM, with the two lately exchanging barbs in the press over their title tussle.

The Australian, who is the son of 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner, finished the two-day Jerez test 1.8 seconds behind the leaders in 22nd place overall.

In 2021, the RC16 won twice, but all KTM riders had a rough season.

The KTM is also a unique motorcycle on the MotoGP grid, as it is the only bike on the grid with a steel trellis chassis and WP suspension.

“Yeah, actually not too bad,” Gardner responded when asked by Motorsport.com how he liked the steel frame after riding a traditional aluminium chassis this season in Moto2.

“Obviously, we’re off to a bit of a slow start, but all the rookies are on the GP bike.

“But honestly that’s more just due to we don’t know what the power’s like and controls and ride height, blah, blah, blah.

“It’s a different machine. Chassis wise, suspension wise, it’s still a motorcycle.

“So, it’s not that bad, honestly. I felt pretty comfortable on it even though I was quite stiff and not riding too crazy.

“I think the bike was doing what I needed to. Obviously, it’s going to get a lot harder once you start getting to those faster lap times, but the bike’s not bad.

“It probably needs improvement, but I expected worse if I’m being honest with you, so I’m quite happy with the bike.”

Gardner is known for riding bigger bikes, which is why, despite a rib injury, he has found riding the KTM to be really comfortable.

During the test, he did notice that there was too much electronic interference on the bike, and he had to slide the rear as smoothly as he would like.

“I come from dirt track as a kid, so I was always used to sliding around and the bike being sideways and turning with the rear,” he added.

“Casey [Stoner] and my dad and all those guys came from the dirt track we used to do in Australia, so definitely that helps me, especially on the big bikes.

“On the Moto2 bike, with the Triumph it was a little bit more big bike style, but it was kind of a mix between Moto2 and Moto3 when we had the CBR engine [before 2019].

“But the Triumph was a bit more big bike style and the MotoGP is the ultimate. So, it’s feeling good.

“At the moment I’m feeling a little bit too much electronics on it, so it’s cutting the power a little bit too much for me.

“So, that’s really what we’ve been working on the last few days so I can get a little bit more slide on the bike on initial throttle.”

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