Portuguese Rollercoaster Time for Tech3 KTM Factory Racing

Tech3 KTM Factory Racing, alongside the entire MotoGP class, is heading to beautiful Portugal for the Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal, the fifth round of the season and the opener of the European fixtures. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will always be a place cherished by the French team, as they celebrated their second MotoGP victory back in 2020 with local hero Miguel Oliveira.

With four tough first races in the bag, MotoGP rookies Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez will be glad to kick off the European fixtures, filled with layouts that they both know better. The Australian enjoys going to Portimao, a circuit he holds a few records in the Moto2 category, including the best pole, the best race lap, and the all time lap record. In addition, Remy won the Grande Prémio do Algarve back in the penultimate Moto2 round of 2021 , while his teammate Raul Fernandez won his first Moto2 race here last year at the Grande Prémio de Portugal, held in April 2021.

Although the story will be different with MotoGP bikes, both are heading to Portugal with confidence, eager to try the rollercoaster with their KTM RC16. The action will start on Friday, April 22nd, with the first free practice session at 9:55 local time (GMT+1), which will be followed in the afternoon by the second free practice session, at 14:10. There will be another session of forty-five minutes on Saturday at 9:55 before the final FP4 at 13:30. The first big moment of the weekend will be when Qualifying 1 kicks off at 14:10, during which both rookies will be aiming to improve their grid positions. The Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal is scheduled on Sunday, April 24th, at 13:00 (GMT+1), for twenty-five laps.

Remy Gardner

“We just finished the first four races of the season overseas, and they have all been tough ones, including a few in strange conditions. They were necessary to learn the MotoGP class, but I am looking forward to going racing in Europe on tracks that I know better. Portugal is one of my favorite circuits, so I can’t wait to be on Friday to ride there.”

Raul Fernandez

“I am happy to go racing in Portugal because I have good memories at this circuit. I won my first Moto2 race so it feels nice to be going back there. We did a great job in both Argentina and in the USA, so I feel confident and motivated to go to Algarve.”

Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager

“Although we enjoyed the first four fly away events, I have to admit that for the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team, as I believe for most of the paddock, it is a pleasure to start the European season. The paddock is for sure more convenient and friendly, all teams have their own trucks, the riders their motorhomes, we have the hospitalities, and the MotoGP family atmosphere is definitively higher.

To start with Portimao and Jerez, two beautiful circuits in beautiful places, is a real pleasure. The few days off we had since coming back from Austin have been necessary for everyone to recover from the two busy weeks we had in both Argentina and the USA, and the team is now ready for Europe.

Raul and Remy both like the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Of course, we as a team, have got incredible memories here since Miguel Oliveira was the first MotoGP winner back in 2020, and I believe that there is no reason why we could not be competitive again in Portimao. As usual, the target will be to score points, we only did it once with Remy in Qatar. The grid is so competitive this year and it is tough to score points, but we hope that we can add a few more points to Remy’s counter, and open Raul’s one. Portimao is a unique layout, very difficult technically, but I believe that both rookies are now ready to fight as MotoGP riders after the first four races, and they can be competitive.”

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