Remy Gardner Reflects on the Thrill and Challenges of MotoGP vs. Superbike Racing: A Deep Dive into Adaptation and Electronics

Remy Gardner Expresses Excitement Over Idea of Banning Traction Control in MotoGP, Though Admits It Would Be Risky

Remy Gardner shares that riding his Superbike without traction control is manageable, yet doing the same on a MotoGP bike would be quite risky.

Remy Gardner found himself 'plunged into challenging circumstances' once more at the British MotoGP, being summoned for another temporary ride on the Yamaha M1, marking his second such appearance in consecutive events.

Filling in for the injured Alex Rins in Germany, Gardner, who is actively competing with Yamaha in the WorldSBK series, was requested to step in for test rider Cal Crutchlow's wild-card position at Silverstone.

The circuits are markedly distinct: The Sachsenring, stretching 3.671 kilometers, sees an average speed of 160 kilometers per hour, in contrast to the intimidating 5.900 kilometers of the Silverstone circuit, where speeds average above 180 kilometers per hour.

However, the Australian reaffirmed the 'assertive' remarks made by factory standout Fabio Quartararo, who is presently focused on recapturing the user-friendly performance of previous M1 models.

"Gardner remarked, following his 18th and final place finish in the grand prix, that it was constantly in motion. He noted it had a tendency to constantly wiggle and shake its head, making it quite difficult to ride. The challenge was further amplified as he was testing new components for the test team."

He verified earlier in the weekend, "I've been experimenting with some new components. I'm not at liberty to disclose their nature – I'm almost certain there would be severe consequences if I did! However, I can confirm that some significant components have undergone testing."

A recognized shortfall in the M1 is its electronics, an aspect Gardner found challenging during practice as well.

"Definitely, it's about the throttle linkage, the traction management system, how it maintains grip despite wheel rotation, and its overall behavior. It's quite intense, without a doubt," he mentioned.

"In the morning, the quantity was insufficient. By the afternoon, it had excessively increased, and now we must locate the ideal balance of throttle response to the tyre's behavior, ensuring we avoid excessive spinning while maintaining control. I'll now review each turn in detail with the team."

Gardner clarified that operating his R1 without traction control wouldn't pose an issue, but attempting the same in MotoGP could be quite risky, though potentially enjoyable.

"In Superbikes, the setup is simpler and the technology isn't as advanced. They also have 60 horsepower less than their counterparts, leading to less spin on occasion. This makes them somewhat easier to handle."

"I have the ability to operate my high-performance motorcycle without any traction control system activated, to put it simply."

Actions prohibited in MotoGP?

Gardner grinned and said, "I could do it, although it would be a bit dodgy!" He chuckled, "It would be amusing to witness! Imagine just declaring 'okay, traction control is off-limits from now on'. That would be quite entertaining, actually!"

Despite the presence of traction control, Gardner emphasized that the existing M1 remains challenging to manage.

"Truthfully, it was quite challenging to handle, and it demanded a lot from me today. Riding today was tough," he admitted. "Certainly, racing a Superbike quickly comes with its challenges too, but it might be slightly easier to manage."

Just five days following his race at Silverstone, Gardner returned to the track on his R1 at Portimao, securing finishes of 10th, 15th, and 12th in the WorldSBK competitions. As a result, he currently holds the eighth position in the global championship standings.

The 26-year-old has previously acknowledged the challenges of transitioning between various machines, leading to his skepticism about his potential to serve as an official test rider for Yamaha MotoGP.

He mentioned at Silverstone, "I believe doing both [SBK racing and MotoGP testing] might not be feasible. The bikes are entirely different, and switching between them in a week isn't ideal. It's preferable to concentrate on just one championship."

"At Donington, following Sachsenring, it required about five laps for me to get a grip on how to handle a superbike once more, and we faced difficulties there. I'm uncertain if that was the reason for our struggles or not. However, we'll find out in this weekend's race at Portimao."

When faced with a decision between testing and competing, Gardner decidedly leans towards racing.

"I'm 26 and still fiercely motivated. I achieved my first podium finish in almost two years a few months back and I'm eager for more. Finishing fourth in Most left me deeply disappointed!" he expressed.

"I have a strong desire for those top finishes. Racing excites me. I enjoy the competition and I'm confident that I can contend for a championship going forward. Of course, everything needs to align, but at heart, I'm a racer."

Rins is anticipated to make another comeback attempt in Austria this weekend, while the timeline for Crutchlow's return to Yamaha testing roles, following complications from hand surgery, remains to be determined.

Explore Further

Recent Updates

Recent Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any part or the entirety of the text, images, or graphics in any manner is strictly prohibited.