Remy Gardner
Remy Gardner is an Australian professional motorcycle racer, renowned for securing the 2021 Moto2 World Championship with Red Bull KTM Ajo.[1] Born Remy Christopher Gardner on 24 February 1998 in Sydney, Australia, he is the eldest son of Wayne Gardner, the 1987 FIM 500cc World Champion, and stands at 174 cm tall with a racing weight of 63 kg.[2] His career spans multiple disciplines, including dirt track, supermoto, and Grand Prix racing, marking him as a versatile competitor in international motorcycle racing.[1] Gardner's passion for racing emerged early, as he began riding motorcycles at the age of four and transitioned to competitive track racing by age ten in 2008.[1] Initially exploring motocross and enduro, he shifted focus to dirt track and long track events at state and national levels in Australia before moving to tarmac racing with supermotard and 80cc machinery under his father's guidance.[1] In 2010, he made his international debut at the NSF100 Trophy in Spain, finishing 29th overall, and won the MRRDA Australian Nippers Championship that year.[1] By 2011, relocating to Spain for full-time development, he competed in the Pre-GP Moto3 class, achieving second place in the Campeonato Mediterráneo de Velocidad.[1] His ascent through the junior ranks accelerated in 2014 with a World Championship debut in Moto3 at Misano, followed by a full season in 2015 with the CIP team on Mahindra machinery, where he scored his first points with a 10th-place finish at his home Phillip Island circuit.[3] Progressing to Moto2 in 2016, Gardner claimed a victory in the FIM CEV European Championship at Catalunya and began establishing himself in the World Championship with Tech3 and later SAG Racing teams, marking his first podium in 2019 and maiden win in 2020 at Portimão.[4] The pinnacle came in 2021, when he dominated the Moto2 class with five victories, six runner-up finishes, and one third place across 18 rounds, clinching the title by 21 points over Raúl Fernández.[4] Elevated to MotoGP in 2022 with Tech3 KTM, Gardner debuted in the premier class and scored points in six races, with his best result of 11th at the Catalan Grand Prix, though he struggled to adapt fully to the prototype machinery.[4] Seeking a fresh challenge, he transitioned to the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2023 with the GYTR GRT Yamaha team, finishing ninth overall with 156 points in his rookie season.[2] In 2024, he improved to 10th in the standings, securing his first WorldSBK podium (third place at Assen) and a front-row start at Misano before an injury sidelined him in the final round.[2] In 2025, continuing with the GYTR GRT Yamaha team, Gardner finished 11th in the WorldSBK standings with 126 points.[2][5]Early life
Family background
Remy Christopher Gardner was born on 24 February 1998 in Sydney, Australia.[4][2][1] He is the son of Wayne Gardner, the 1987 500cc Grand Prix World Champion and Australia's first premier-class motorcycle racing title winner, and Donna Gardner, whom Wayne married in 1989 after dating for over a decade.[6][7] Growing up in the shadow of his father's legendary career, Remy was exposed to motorcycles from a young age, beginning to ride at four years old, which instilled an early passion for the sport influenced by Wayne's experiences as a racing icon.[1][8] Remy has a younger brother, Luca Gardner, who is also involved in motorcycle racing and has competed in junior categories.[9][10][11] In support of their sons' racing ambitions, the Gardner family relocated from Australia to Spain in 2011 when Remy was 13, positioning them closer to Europe's competitive junior racing circuits.[9][8] Post-racing, Wayne Gardner transitioned into business, serving as director of Wayne Gardner Enterprises, a family-run motorcycle import and distribution company, and later founding Gardner87, a brand focused on electric mobility products.[12][13][14] Donna Gardner, now remarried, has maintained a connection to the racing world through her involvement in related projects, including authoring a book on the sport.[6][15]Introduction to racing
Remy Gardner received his first motorcycle at the age of four, sparking an early passion for off-road riding in Australia across disciplines such as motocross, enduro, dirt track, and flat track.[1][16] Growing up in a family with deep motorsport roots, including his father Wayne Gardner's legacy as the 1987 500cc World Champion, provided Remy with initial access to bikes and tracks that facilitated his foundational experiences.[1] Gardner began competitive racing in 2008 at age ten, focusing on junior dirt track events in Australia and building experience at local levels before progressing to state and national competitions.[1][17] His off-road focus intensified with dirt track and long track racing, where he honed skills for two years at these higher tiers, achieving notable results such as a fourth-place finish in the 2008 Australian Junior Track Championship in the 80cc 4-Stroke Modified class for under-11s.[17] At age ten in 2008, he gained his first tarmac experience at Phillip Island, initially riding a supermotard-style dirt track bike before transitioning to slicks.[1] Gardner's shift to road racing accelerated around age twelve, culminating in his Australian road race debut at Phillip Island in December 2010, where he won the MRRDA Australian Nippers Championship for under-13s.[18][1] At age thirteen in 2011, he relocated to Spain with his family for structured training, enrolling in his father's Wayne Gardner Racing Academy setup and joining the Monlau Competición team to compete in the Pre-GP Moto3 class.[19][1] In 2012, at age fourteen, Gardner won the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship in the 85cc 2-Stroke and 150cc 4-Stroke categories (11-U13 class).[17] These achievements marked his pre-professional highlights, emphasizing a rapid progression from domestic off-road roots to international road racing preparation.[1]Professional career
European junior championships
Gardner entered the FIM CEV Repsol championship in 2013, competing in the Moto3 class aboard a KTM motorcycle for the Calvo/LaGlisse team, marking his initial foray into structured European road racing after a background in Australian off-road disciplines. His off-road experience provided a foundation for adaptability on varied circuits, though the transition to grand prix-style tracks required honing precision and speed on asphalt. In 2014, he remained with Calvo/LaGlisse, achieving his breakthrough with a third-place finish at the Albacete round—his first international podium—amid a competitive field that highlighted his growing prowess. That season, Gardner concluded ninth overall in the standings with 62 points from 11 races, a performance that qualified him for wildcard appearances in the Moto3 World Championship.[4][20][2] Following his full-time debut in the Moto3 World Championship in 2015 with CIP-MH Racing on a Mahindra bike, Gardner returned to the European series in 2016, shifting to the more demanding Moto2 class to build experience on higher-displacement machinery. Riding a Kalex for the Race Experience team early in the season, he faced challenges adapting to the bike's greater power and torque compared to the lighter Moto3 prototypes, but leveraged his prior circuit familiarity to compete at the front. A highlight came at the Catalunya round, where he claimed pole position and dominated the second race for his maiden CEV victory, edging out Isaac Viñales by 0.6 seconds after leading from the start. He followed this with a strong fifth place at Aragon, qualifying third and maintaining position in a tight battle.[21][22][1] Midway through 2016, Gardner transitioned to the Teo Martini team, still on Kalex hardware, to further refine his intermediate-class skills amid the series' mix of established talents and emerging prospects. Despite the team change and the inherent difficulties of mastering Moto2's technical demands—such as braking stability and tire management on European layouts—he contributed consistently to the championship's competitive depth. Ending the season 16th overall with 39 points across seven rounds, his results underscored steady progression and positioned him for subsequent world championship opportunities.[4][23][17]Moto3 World Championship
Remy Gardner entered the Moto3 World Championship in 2014 through three wildcard and replacement appearances with the CIP MH Racing team on a Mahindra bike, building on his promising results in the European CEV Repsol Moto3 series that earned him these opportunities. His grand prix debut came at the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano, where he substituted for an injured teammate, finishing outside the points but gaining initial exposure to the intense, global competition of the lightweight class. Additional outings followed at Aragon and Valencia, with his season-best result of 15th at the latter providing key insights into the 250cc prototypes' demanding handling and pack racing dynamics.[24][1] Securing a full-time seat for 2015 with CIP, still aboard the Mahindra, Gardner competed in all 18 rounds, marking his rookie season in the category. He opened with a points-scoring 15th at the Qatar Grand Prix and peaked with a 10th-place finish at his home Phillip Island circuit, showcasing improved racecraft amid the class's emphasis on close-quarters agility and engine power delivery. Concluding 30th overall with 6 points, Gardner's campaign highlighted his adaptation to the prototypes' technical challenges, including tire management and qualifying pace, without significant injury disruptions.[4][25] Gardner's Moto3 experience emphasized growth in consistency against established talents on larger grids, contrasting the regional focus of his junior European racing. This progression in the 250cc prototypes prepared him for the step up to Moto2 in 2016, where the increased displacement and bike complexity would test his evolving skills further.[2][26]Moto2 World Championship
Remy Gardner made his Moto2 World Championship debut in 2016 with Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 aboard a Kalex bike, contesting 14 of the season's 18 rounds as he adapted to the intermediate class following his Moto3 experience.[4] His best result was a 12th-place finish at the German Grand Prix, earning 8 points overall and placing 26th in the riders' standings.[27][28] In 2017, Gardner joined Tech 3 Racing on a Kalex machine for a full season, but a pre-season training accident resulting in two broken legs hampered his campaign.[4] He achieved a best finish of 9th and scored 23 points to end 21st in the championship.[27] Gardner remained with Tech 3 in 2018, delivering consistent top-15 results, including a career-best 5th place at the Valencia finale, for 40 points and 19th overall.[27] Gardner switched to the Onexox TKKR SAG Team on a Kalex for 2019, marking a breakthrough with his first Moto2 podium—a second-place finish at the Argentina Grand Prix—followed by another podium later in the season.[29][30] He tallied 77 points to finish 15th in the standings.[31] The 2020 season, shortened to 15 rounds by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw further progress with three additional podiums before his maiden victory at the Portimao finale.[32][33] Gardner ended 6th with 135 points.[27] Gardner's form peaked in 2021 with Red Bull KTM Ajo on a KTM bike, where he clinched the Moto2 title in a fiercely competitive season against teammate Raúl Fernández, who secured more race wins but faltered in consistency.[34] He claimed 5 victories—at Mugello, Catalunya, Sachsenring, Silverstone, and Portimao—along with 12 podiums across 18 rounds, amassing 311 points.[34][35] The championship was sealed at the Valencia finale with a 10th-place finish, sufficient to hold off challengers.[36][37] Gardner's Moto2 journey transformed him from a mid-pack rider struggling with adaptation and injuries to a dominant champion, bolstered by the KTM's evolving chassis and engine developments that enhanced competitiveness in the class.[38] This success, rooted in improved racecraft and machinery synergy, justified his promotion to the premier class while highlighting his resilience in an underdog narrative.[39]MotoGP World Championship
Following his 2021 Moto2 World Championship title, Remy Gardner was promoted to the MotoGP class for the 2022 season with Tech3 KTM Factory Racing, where he partnered rookie teammate Raúl Fernández on the RC16 prototype.[40] His rookie campaign was marked by adaptation challenges to the 1000cc machinery, compounded by a pre-season wrist fracture from a motocross training crash that required surgery and two screws, potentially delaying full recovery into mid-season.[41] Gardner scored his first and only MotoGP point with an 11th-place finish at the Catalan Grand Prix, his career-best result in the premier class, while other highlights included 15th at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix and 14th at the Portuguese Grand Prix.[42] He completed the year 23rd in the riders' standings with 13 points from 20 starts, reflecting the steep learning curve and the RC16's competitiveness limitations in corner exits and straight-line speed, which Gardner publicly noted as areas needing improvement.[43][44] Despite a multi-year contract, Gardner was released by KTM at the season's conclusion, with team motorsport director Pit Beirer citing the rider's perceived lack of professionalism and commitment to the project, including critical comments on the bike's performance during interviews.[45] Gardner expressed disappointment over the abrupt dismissal, describing it as feeling "discarded" and highlighting the intense pressures of a rookie MotoGP season, where expectations clashed with the bike's developmental hurdles and his ongoing adaptation.[46] In reflection, he acknowledged the RC16's potential but emphasized how timing and machinery reliability hampered his ability to showcase the form that earned his promotion.[45] Gardner returned to MotoGP in 2024 as a wildcard replacement for the injured Álex Rins with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, riding the YZR-M1 at the German, British, and Japanese Grands Prix.[47] At the Sachsenring, he qualified 22nd and finished 20th in the race, gaining valuable laps despite the bike's handling traits in low-grip conditions.[48] In the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Gardner started from 22nd and crossed the line 18th, noting improved straight-line stability but struggles in sector two's technical sections.[49] His Japanese Grand Prix appearance at Motegi ended 17th after a clean 24-lap race, where he adapted to dry conditions but highlighted the YZR-M1's engine characteristics, praising overall progress in power delivery while critiquing acceleration sensations as not yet competitive against rivals like Ducati.[50][51] Gardner's premier class outings demonstrated flashes of rookie promise, particularly in race pace consistency, but were consistently limited by suboptimal machinery setups and the timing of his entries into a highly competitive field dominated by Ducati and inline-four prototypes.[52]World Superbike Championship
Remy Gardner entered the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2023 with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, riding the Yamaha YZF-R1, marking his transition from grand prix racing to the production-based superbike class. His debut season saw steady adaptation, with consistent points finishes building toward stronger results in subsequent years. Gardner has remained with the same team throughout, demonstrating reliability in a competitive independent squad. In 2023, Gardner completed 24 starts across 12 rounds, scoring 156 points to finish ninth in the riders' standings without a podium but achieving multiple top-six results. Notable performances included a career-best fourth place in the Superpole Race at Cremona and sixth-place finishes in both the Superpole Race and Race 2 at Most, contributing to a late-season surge of top-ten results in five of the final six rounds. He experienced several retirements due to mechanical issues and crashes, such as at Portimão and Magny-Cours, but his points progression reflected growing confidence, amassing over 50 points in the last four events alone.[53][54][55] Gardner's 2024 campaign built on this foundation, with another 24 starts yielding 140 points and a tenth-place finish, highlighted by his maiden podium. The breakthrough came at Assen, where he secured third in Race 2 after starting from eighth on the grid, capitalizing on rivals' errors in wet conditions. Other key results included fifth in Race 1 at Most and consistent top-eight finishes at Catalunya and Portimão, though retirements at Phillip Island and Misano interrupted momentum. His points tally progressed steadily, with over 70 points scored post-midseason, underscoring improved bike setup and racecraft.[56][57][58] The 2025 season, Gardner's third in WorldSBK, concluded with 24 starts and 126 points for 11th overall, featuring a second podium amid a mix of highs and setbacks. He repeated his Assen success with third in Race 2. Additional strong showings included fifth in Race 2 at Most and ninth at Portimão, but challenges like a crash at Phillip Island and a ride-through penalty at Most limited gains. Points accumulation was front-loaded, with nearly 60 points in the first half, tapering due to three retirements in the latter rounds including Jerez Race 1.[59][60][61]| Season | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 9th |
| 2024 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 140 | 10th |
| 2025 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 126 | 11th |
Career statistics
European championships
Remy Gardner's performances in the FIM CEV Repsol International Championship provided crucial experience in European grand prix racing, showcasing his potential and leading to opportunities in the World Championship series. His results in the Moto3 and Moto2 classes highlighted consistent top-ten finishes and key victories that attracted attention from international teams.[17]FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 (2014)
Gardner competed full-time in the Moto3 class with the Calvo Team on a KTM bike, completing 12 starts across the season. He achieved 0 wins and 1 podium (third place at Albacete), scoring 62 points to finish 9th overall. This podium marked his breakthrough in the series, demonstrating aggressive riding in a competitive field dominated by riders like Fabio Quartararo.[17][20][64]| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Starts | 12 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 0 |
| Points | 62 |
| Position | 9th |
FIM CEV Repsol Moto2 European Championship (2016)
Gardner joined the Race Experience team on a Kalex bike for a partial season, making 3 starts before transitioning to the World Championship. He secured 1 win (at Catalunya), 1 podium, and 39 points, finishing 16th overall despite the limited schedule. His victory at Catalunya was a standout, where he led from the start to claim his first Moto2 success.[17][66][21]| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Starts | 3 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 0 |
| Points | 39 |
| Position | 16th |
Aggregated Stats in FIM CEV Repsol
Across his CEV appearances in 2014 and 2016, Gardner participated in 15 starts, achieving 1 win, 2 podiums, 0 poles, and 0 fastest laps, for a total of 101 points. His teams included Calvo Team (KTM in Moto3) and Race Experience (Kalex in Moto2), with key circuits like Albacete and Barcelona-Catalunya featuring his best results. These achievements, particularly the podium and win, were instrumental in securing his full-time World Championship seat in Moto3 for 2015, where he debuted with CIP Team.[17][4]Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Remy Gardner's Grand Prix motorcycle racing career spanned the Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP classes from 2014 to 2024, during which he competed in 147 races, securing 6 victories—all in Moto2—and one world championship title in that class. His progression through the categories highlighted a steady improvement, culminating in his 2021 Moto2 crown, before transitioning to the premier class and later focusing on World Superbike while making a one-off MotoGP return. Gardner's statistics reflect a rider who built experience in lower classes before achieving peak success in the intermediate category, with no podiums in Moto3 or MotoGP.[68][4]By Class Statistics
Gardner's performance varied significantly across classes, with his strongest results in Moto2 where he demonstrated consistency and race-winning pace.| Class | Years | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Points | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moto3 | 2014–2016 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 0 |
| Moto2 | 2016–2021 | 88 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 594 | 1 (2021) |
| MotoGP | 2022, 2024 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
By Season Summaries
Gardner's early seasons in Moto3 served as a learning ground, with gradual point accumulation leading to his best result in 2016. Transitioning to Moto2 in late 2016, he faced challenges with machinery and injuries but peaked in 2020–2021 with the SAG Team and Red Bull KTM Ajo, respectively. In MotoGP, his 2022 rookie year was adaptation-focused amid technical issues, while his 2024 appearance was a wildcard entry.| Year | Class | Team | Bike | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Final Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Moto3 | Replacement/Wildcard | Various | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
| 2015 | Moto3 | CIP-MH2 Racing | Mahindra | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30th | 6 |
| 2016 | Moto3 | Pull&Bear Aspar Team | KTM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15th | 88 |
| 2016 | Moto2 | Tasca Racing Scuderia Australia | Kalex | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26th | 8 |
| 2017 | Moto2 | Tech 3 Racing | KTM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21st | 23 |
| 2018 | Moto2 | Tech 3 Racing | KTM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19th | 40 |
| 2019 | Moto2 | ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team | Kalex | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15th | 77 |
| 2020 | Moto2 | ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team | Kalex | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6th | 135 |
| 2021 | Moto2 | Red Bull KTM Ajo | Kalex | 5 | 12 | 3 | 1st | 311 |
| 2022 | MotoGP | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | KTM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23rd | 13 |
| 2024 | MotoGP | Monster Energy Yamaha | Yamaha | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
Races by Year and Notable Incidents
Across his Grand Prix career, Gardner recorded approximately 25 retirements or DNFs, primarily due to crashes, mechanical failures, or injuries, with a higher rate in early Moto2 seasons (e.g., 6 DNFs in 2019). He started from the front row 6 times, all in Moto2, and led races on multiple occasions in 2021.- 2014–2015 Moto3: Limited to 21 starts combined; notable DNFs included mechanical issues at debut in San Marino (2014) and crashes in wet conditions at Assen (2015). Best finish: 10th at Phillip Island (2015 home race).
- 2016 Moto3/Moto2: Full Moto3 season with 8 retirements; switched to Moto2 for one race at Phillip Island, finishing 14th. Injury in pre-season testing affected early form.
- 2017–2018 Moto2: 36 starts total; 2018 marred by a training crash causing two broken legs, leading to 5 DNFs and missed races. Best results: 5th at Mugello (2018).
- 2019 Moto2: 19 starts, 6 DNFs; sole podium (3rd at Silverstone) marked breakthrough, though consistency issues persisted.
- 2020 Moto2 (shortened season): Maiden win at Portimão in wet conditions; 3 DNFs, including a high-speed crash at Jerez. Strong recovery with podiums at Le Mans and Catalunya.
- 2021 Moto2: 18 starts, only 1 DNF; dominant with wins at Portimão, Le Mans, Mugello, Assen, and Aragon. Clinched title at Valencia despite pressure from teammate Raúl Fernández, finishing 2nd in the decider.[70]
- 2022 MotoGP: 20 starts, 9 DNFs (crashes and bike issues); best finish 11th at Catalan GP. Notable incident: collision with teammate at Mandalika leading to retirement.
- 2024 MotoGP: Single start at German GP as injury replacement for Alex Rins; qualified 21st, finished 20th in both sprint and race, scoring no points.
Aggregate Highlights
Gardner amassed 147 Grand Prix starts, 6 wins, and 1 championship across 10 seasons, with 8 front-row starts (all Moto2 poles) and 5 fastest laps. His career emphasized resilience, particularly post-injury recoveries, though MotoGP proved challenging with no top-10 finishes beyond isolated results. As of November 2025, Gardner competes full-time in World Superbike with Yamaha but remains open to potential Grand Prix returns, leveraging his prototype experience.[68][2]World Superbike Championship
Remy Gardner entered the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2023 with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, riding the Yamaha YZF-R1, marking his transition from grand prix racing to the production-based superbike class. His debut season saw steady adaptation, with consistent points finishes building toward stronger results in subsequent years. Gardner has remained with the same team throughout, demonstrating reliability in a competitive independent squad. In 2023, Gardner completed 24 starts across 12 rounds, scoring 156 points to finish ninth in the riders' standings without a podium but achieving multiple top-six results. Notable performances included a career-best fourth place in the Superpole Race at Cremona and sixth-place finishes in both the Superpole Race and Race 2 at Most, contributing to a late-season surge of top-ten results in five of the final six rounds. He experienced several retirements due to mechanical issues and crashes, such as at Portimão and Magny-Cours, but his points progression reflected growing confidence, amassing over 50 points in the last four events alone.[53][54][55] Gardner's 2024 campaign built on this foundation, with another 24 starts yielding 140 points and a tenth-place finish, highlighted by his maiden podium. The breakthrough came at Assen, where he secured third in Race 2 after starting from eighth on the grid, capitalizing on rivals' errors in wet conditions. Other key results included fifth in Race 1 at Most and consistent top-eight finishes at Catalunya and Portimão, though retirements at Phillip Island and Misano interrupted momentum. His points tally progressed steadily, with over 70 points scored post-midseason, underscoring improved bike setup and racecraft.[56][57][58] The 2025 season, Gardner's third in WorldSBK, concluded with 24 starts and 126 points for 11th overall, featuring a second podium amid a mix of highs and setbacks. He repeated his Assen success with third in Race 2, promoted from fourth after a penalty to the winner, marking Yamaha's fourth rostrum of the year. Additional strong showings included fifth in Race 2 at Most and ninth at Portimão, but challenges like a high-speed crash at Phillip Island and a ride-through penalty at Misano limited gains. Points accumulation was front-loaded, with nearly 60 points in the first half, tapering due to three retirements in the latter rounds including Jerez Race 1.[59][60][61]| Season | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 9th |
| 2024 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 140 | 10th |
| 2025 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 126 | 11th |