Portimao like a ‘roller coaster’ - Gardner; Fernandez has ‘great memories’

The Moto2 Red Bull KTM Ajo team head into round three of the 2021 championship in a position no other team across all three categories is in, with two winners from last year’s inaugural Portimao race in their lineup.

Robert Jones

15 Apr 2021

Remy Gardner, Moto2 race, Doha MotoGP, 4 April 2021
© Gold and Goose

Remy Gardner and Moto2 rookie Raul Fernandez head into this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix following a double podium for the team in Qatar.

Fernandez was a standout during pre-season testing, but has kicked on even further during the two Qatar races to claim a fifth place finish in round one, before securing a maiden Moto2 podium two weeks ago with third.

The two top five finishes also resulted in the Spaniard being the top rookie, as he aims to continue his good form at Portimao where he won last year in Moto3.

"The first two races of the year were very good for us. This is my first season in the class and I feel like I'm learning something new all the time," said Fernandez.

"I did not expect to be on the podium in Qatar, but it's something that has given me a lot of confidence. However, our goal is still to make progress and take things slowly.

"We don't want to set any position as a target; we want to have fun every time we go out on track. If we achieve this, then the results will come.

"I have great memories of the circuit, since last year I won there in Moto3. I hope to enjoy this Grand Prix, I am going there with great enthusiasm and motivation."

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team find themselves in a unique, but somewhat ideal position heading into this weekend, as they have both the Moto2 and Moto3 inaugural winners from Portimao in their team.

It was also Gardner’s maiden win in the intermediate class, which has certainly given the 23 year-old added confidence in 2021.

The Australian finished runner-up to Sam Lowes both times in Doha, which is his best start to a Moto2 campaign since joining the championship in 2016.

Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s third race, Gardner said: "We can look very positively at the first two races of the season. I feel comfortable with the team and we are doing a great job together.

"We have a long season ahead, but starting 2021 with two podiums is certainly a good thing.

"I come into the Portuguese Grand Prix with great expectations, since it was there that I achieved my first World Championship victory last year.

"Our goal will be to finish the contest with as many points as possible and try to fight to place in the Top 3.

"Portimao is a track that I really like, and the layout is like a roller coaster; it's a spectacular circuit for riders, but also provides a great show for the spectators."