After a couple of races up north in germanophone countries, it is time to head back to southern Europe as Tech3 KTM Factory Racing continues its 2022 campaign with a stop at the famous Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a very popular escale of the MotoGP calendar.
The past Austrian round did not exactly go as both Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez would have hoped for, so both KTM riders will be eager to be heading to Misano in Italy, a layout they both enjoy a lot. The two rookies are still to score points since the return from the summer break, and the Adriatic stage would be a great place to fix things up. On the technical side, a small change this week will see Raul Fernandez’ crew being led by Guy Coulon who will replace crew chief Nicolas Goyon, recovering from a recent knee surgery which prevented him from traveling to Italy.
The action will kick off on Friday at 9:55 (GMT+2) with the first free practice session, followed by the second one at 14:10, both of forty-five minutes each. On Saturday, Raul and Remy will set off for the third free practice at 9:55, at the end of which qualifying entries will be determined. There will be a final chance to practice at 13:30 with FP4, before the qualifying sessions start at 14:10. The MotoGP race is scheduled at 14:00 (GMT+2) on Sunday, for twenty-seven laps.
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Remy Gardner
Championship: 23rd
Points: 9
"The last race in Austria was obviously not ideal but this is now in the past and I only have eyes set on the new race weekend in Misano. Together with my team we will continue to work and try to get a better result, and hopefully come home with a good feeling."
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Raul Fernandez
Championship: 24th
Points: 5
"I enjoy the Misano World Circuit so I am really looking forward to this round in Italy. At the last race in Austria, I had really good sensations on the bike and I felt that I was finally able to ride as I had wanted. Therefore I come here full of positivity and will continue to feed on the good feelings. I have continued to train a lot over the last two weeks, so I look forward to the race in Misano, and hopefully we can do something good."
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Hervé Poncharal
Team Manager
"Just a year ago, both Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez were given the chance to experience a MotoGP bike ride for the first time here in Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, and I remember that it was for us an incredible moment to witness, and I am sure that for them it was unforgettable.
In the past years, the KTM bikes have had good races here in Italy so we hope that we will be able to carry on and why not get a good result with at least one of our two riders.
The weather for the weekend seems pretty uncertain at the moment meaning that we will for sure face an additional challenge, which is trying to adapt to what mother nature will want to give us.
Interesting fact about this weekend: Guy Coulon will be back as a crew chief and will be leading Raul Fernandez’ team as Nicolas Goyon is recovering from a knee surgery meaning that he was unable to travel this week. They will work closely but Guy will lead the way. It is quite a fun fact as Guy Coulon was replacing Paul Trevathan on Oliveira’s side just a year ago, at the same place.
We are all excited to head to Misano and try to get good results for the team."
