Valence, France, Novembre 7th - The two Tech 3 riders concluded a difficult first MotoGP season in fine style. Twelfth and thirteenth at Valencia, Fernandez and Gardner both got into the points.
Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner ended their time with Tech 3 in style. The Spaniard and the Australian finished twelfth and thirteenth respectively in the Valencian Grand Prix. After a heavy crash in practice and only twenty-third at the start, Fernandez rode a courageous race to gain three places in the overall rankings. Gardner, who made a bad start and was jostled on the first lap, also made it into the points after a fight with his teammate. “This season has been very difficult, but as I have said several times, we must not forget that we were working with two beginners this year," concluded Hervé Poncharal. “We worked very hard and gave them everything we could to help them learn with the support of KTM. Everyone gave their best."
After winning in Australia, Tony Arbolino confirmed his current form in Valencia by finishing on the podium after long time leading the race. And that despite the Italian struggling in qualifying; only eighteenth at the end of FP3. “We had a lot of problems in practice and I never thought I would be fighting for the win today," admitted the Elf rider. “I couldn't maintain the pace of Acosta and Fernandez, but I'm still very happy to be on the podium.” Fourth in the championship, Arbolino is now looking forward to the 2023 season and going after his first world championship title. With Sam Lowes out for the final Grand Prix of the season, it was young Senna Agius who took the opportunity to shine. Ninth at the finish of what was only his fourth race in the world championship, the young Australian is already a rider to watch for the future.
For his final race with Tech 3 Deniz Öncü dreamed of crossing the finish line a winner. “I would have liked to have thanked all the team that has helped me so much during these three years," commented the KTM rider. “A team that has always supported me and taught me a lot.” This victory, which would have been his first, Öncü believed in until just a few meters from the finish line. After following Izan Guevera, the new Moto3 world champion, for a long time, Hervé Poncharal's protégé took the lead on the last lap after a magnificent braking manoeuvre. But by coming in a little too hard into the last corner, Öncü allowed the Spaniard to get the better of him and pass him just before the flag. He finished second, but still managed to take his third podium, finishing in fifth place overall. Adrian Fernandez also shone on his final outing for Tech 3. Twenty-fourth on the grid, the Spaniard crossed the finish line in sixth position.
| CATEGORY | RIDER | RACE | CHAMPIONSHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOTOGP |
Remy Gardner |
13th |
23rd (13 points) |
|
Raul Fernandez |
12th |
22nd (14 points) |
|
| MOTO2 |
Sam Lowes |
DNS |
19th (55 points) |
|
Tony Arbolino |
3rd |
4th (191.5 points) |
|
| Senna Agius | 9th | 26th (7 points) | |
| MOTO3 |
Deniz Öncü |
2nd |
5th (200 points) |
|
Adrian Fernandez |
6th |
20th (51 points) |
