Remy Gardner's presence at Sachsenring on the Yamaha of the injured Alex Rins has a bittersweet taste, after the bitterness with which the Australian had left the premier class at the end of his rookie year in 2022 with the KTM Tech3 team. Remy Gardner, now committed to the SBK championship and currently seventh in the standings, seizes the opportunity with enthusiasm and curiosity to probe the limits of today's MotoGP bikes two years later. The opportunity offered to him by Yamaha also demonstrates an interest and recognition on the part of the Japanese manufacturer, which with the acquisition of the two Pramac team saddles is now looking for two good riders, and although the Australian remains focused on the Superbike championship, he does not deny interest in a return to MotoGP.
"It's a great opportunity to ride a MotoGP bike again ," the Australian began , "I'm really grateful that Yamaha called me, and of course I wish Alex Rins a speedy recovery. In the past I got one of the easiest wins of my Moto2 career here, so I have good memories of this circuit."
When did you learn that you would be racing here at Sachsenring?
"I got the call last Sunday, it was a bit of a shock to be honest, I was having a quiet day in motocross with Tito Rabat. I didn't expect it but it was good to get the news."
Had there been any agreement at the beginning of the year that you would be a back-up rider in case of injury?
"No, there had been no discussion of that, so clearly I'm pleased to know that I'm high on the list of Yamaha riders, maybe that means there is a little interest from their side in that direction."
It's not going to be an easy weekend here in Germany, your MotoGP adventure had a bitter ending, how important is this return of yours?
"Honestly I never expected to be back riding a MotoGP bike, it's always a magnificent experience to ride these machines. Of course I know it won't be a walk in the park, it won't be easy but I hope to get the best I can out of this weekend. Overall I will try to enjoy the moment. I am very curious to see how far the competitiveness of these bikes has gone in the last two years."
Did you ever think that now, with the availability of two more Yamahas thanks to the Pramac team in 2025, this presence of yours here could serve as a test for your future?
"Honestly I haven't thought much about that, we'll see what happens, I'll take things step by step. I will try to enjoy this weekend on MotoGP, but I have to think that next weekend I will race at Donington and I have to stay focused on the Superbike championship."
An opportunity that comes at the best time.
"It almost seems like the stars are aligning, but I'm not thinking about it too much. At the moment there is no offer on the table, so I'm not thinking about it, I will do my job here but the focus remains on the other championship right now."
But when you agreed to replace Rins you thought about this possibility.
"Yes it's clear, after all these opportunities don't come every day, so why not. I'll try to approach the weekend with a cool mind, I'm fighting for the top 5 in the Superbike championship, that's the main goal for this year. Then we'll see what happens in the future, but for now we have to think about the present."
You are adapting well to Superbike.
"Yes, the biggest difference is being made by the tires, the Pirelli tires are very different from the tires I was used to in my career in previous years. The Dunlops are more like Michelin, it's a completely different riding style on the bike, and of course it also took time to get the best out of the Yamaha. The format is also different, with two races per weekend, and I'm fighting with Locatelli to be the best among the Yamahas which I'm happy about."
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