Moto2: Remy Gardner joins Red Bull Ajo KTM for 2021 Moto2

Remy Gardner will officially be brought under KTM guardianship for 2021 after being confirmed as joining the firm’s Red Bull Ajo Moto2 World Championship squad.

The Australian, son of 1987 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner, is in the midst of his fifth season in the intermediate class and is fresh off his second career podium achieved in the Styrian MotoGP event.

Though his hopes of building on that was scuppered last time out in Misano - a race he was due to start on pole position - when he suffered a broken thumb and fractured thumb in a warm-up crash, he still has good reason to celebrate after his contract with Red Bull Ajo KTM was confirmed.

He is expected to take the place of Jorge Martin, who is due to be confirmed as a Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider any day now. 

"I am very happy to be signing this contract for the team of my dreams. I am proud to be part of the Red Bull and KTM family, and of Aki’s structure. I want to thank all of them for giving me this opportunity for 2021. I also thank all those who have helped me to get here. I can't wait to start working with them next year and I hope that together we can do some amazing things."

In a year that has seen Red Bull Ajo remain among the front runners with the new Kalex chassis, despite KTM withdrawing its machinery - but not its branding - eponymous team manager Aki Ajo is confident Gardner has what it takes to keep it at the sharp end.
 
“I'm very happy to have Remy in our project next year. He is a young talent, but at the same time he has extensive experience in the FIM World Championship. This combination of abilities is perfect for our project of developing riders. 

“We are looking forward to working together next season. I know that Remy has something special compared to the rest of the competitors: he has great talent, a good feel for the bike and is a born fighter. 

“I hope that, as a team, we can give him a boost during the season for the style that comes naturally to him. I am personally very excited to have Remy with us, and about what 2021 has in store."

Gardner’s signing comes after he was closely linked with KTM for the vacant Tech 3 MotoGP ride for 2020, which eventually went to Iker Lecuona.
 
“I’m really pleased that Remy is coming under our umbrella,” said KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer. “We think he is a special rider and we have seen some strong and exciting skills in his race performances over the years. We think with Aki’s experience we can help him to make the next important step in his career.”