Raul Fernandez Finishes 15th in Grand Prix of Malaysia, Remy Gardner 18th

The MotoGP paddock was back racing in Malaysia for the first time in three years today in front of a crowded Sepang International Circuit. Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s riders Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner were starting the nineteenth round of the season from P20 and P22.

No rain showed up today in Malaysia, but this still left warm and humid conditions making it extremely tough for the riders. Spaniard Raul Fernandez, who was celebrating his twenty-second birthday today, took a good start. Within the first couple of laps, he had set his race pace and appeared comfortable. Through challenging track conditions, he managed to pass both Alex Marquez and Maverick Vinales within the final laps to finish fifteenth, with a tenth point in the bag before flying back home after six weeks away.

Remy Gardner did not take an ideal start and lost a few positions at the start, but still managed to complete the first lap in twentieth, his starting position. He progressively set up his pace as he found himself behind his teammate but started losing grip. His rhythm slowed down and he finished the race in eighteenth. Tech3 KTM Factory Racing will now head home for a week of rest before the season’s finale in Valencia, Spain, in two weeks.

Raul Fernandez

“Normally, when it is my birthday during race weeks, I don’t have good races, but for once I am really happy about this year’s. The team did a great job with the bike because I was feeling like I wanted to. We changed the settings for the race and I enjoyed riding the bike like a kid. I am very happy to have scored a point, and I will head home with a really good feeling and looking forward to heading to Valencia in Spain, in two weeks.”

Remy Gardner

“Today’s race was tough physically. We started ok but I knew it would be difficult with the heat and humidity. I tried to save the tyres as much as I could but the rear was dropping quickly. I gave all I could today.”