Gardner: One more lap and we'd have been there

Remy Gardner feels he needed just one more lap to complete a remarkable 11th-to-podium recovery during the final eight laps of Sunday's Qatar Moto2 Grand Prix.

"One more lap and we would have been there. Unfortunately, my attack started a bit too late," said the Australian, still riding a 2019 spec Kalex for the Onexox SAG team.

Gardner: One more lap and we'd have been there

Remy Gardner feels he needed just one more lap to complete a remarkable 11th-to-podium recovery during the final eight laps of Sunday's Qatar Moto2 Grand Prix.

"One more lap and we would have been there. Unfortunately, my attack started a bit too late," said the Australian, still riding a 2019 spec Kalex for the Onexox SAG team.

Gardner had qualified in sixth place but spent the opening half of the grand prix on the defensive.

"I was really getting caught up in a lot of fights, especially with the full fuel tank, I noticed it a lot in the first ten laps," he explained.

"I'm a heavy guy and adding that extra fuel just makes it that much more difficult. They can come past me on the straights and it's really hard for me to fight in those few laps.

"So I went all the way back to eleventh. I was really back in the weeds."

But when some riders ahead hit front-tyre issues, Gardner remained strong.

"I still had a good feeling and could still push on the front," he said. "So I just started attacking and riding my absolute hardest for ten laps. Made some really good, smart passes as well. Made it all the way to the front group. One more lap and I'd have had the podium."

Gardner crossed the line in fifth position, only half-a-second from Enea Bastianini and a podium place while also within 1.901s of race winner Tetsuta Nagashima.

"I nearly had fourth, with Joe [Roberts] we had a little touch in the last corner," Gardner said.

"Honestly, it's a really good result and it feels like a podium for me. It was a really good race.

"We don’t know when the next race will be, but I'm already looking forward to it."

Gardner was fourth but 2.125s from victory at least year's Losail round, then claimed a debut podium next time in Argentina.

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