The Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team returned to track action on Saturday, with a busy schedule as usual including the two final free practice sessions and the qualifying ones. With already two sessions on the iconic Phillip Island circuit yesterday, both Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez continued to improve today as the track conditions were milder than Friday.

In FP3, the local star Remy Gardner improved his fastest lap to 1’29.691 (1 .249 seconds faster than yesterday) and placed himself twenty-second in the combined standing. In Q1, Remy managed to get a fast lap in 1’28.820 which will see him take his home Grand Prix start from the nineteenth position on Sunday. He ended qualifying day as the second fastest KTM on the grid.

Mixed feelings on Saturday for teammate Raul Fernandez who felt positive about his FP3 with a personal best of 1’29.527, but later on seemed to struggle with tyre choices. In qualifying, he still managed to pull a lap in 1’28.966, but too late in the session to be able to improve, leaving the Spanish rookie with a good margin tomorrow. He will start the Australian Grand Prix from the twenty-second place when the lights go out at 14:00 (GMT+11), for twenty-seven laps.

Remy Gardner

Grid Position: 19

Time: 1'28.820

Laps: 7

"I am a bit disappointed with the position because we did not manage to put together a perfect fast lap, although mine was still good. We could have probably done better, maybe 1’28.5, but we are still the second fastest KTM bike today. This track is not ideal for our package, but we are trying to make the most out of it with hard brakings and just going for it. We also used the rear device today and it felt much better. We will try to have a good race at home tomorrow."

Raul Fernandez

Grid Position: 22

Time: 1'28.966

Laps: 8

"Mixed feelings at the end of today because we had a good FP3, but then the FP4 and Q1 sessions were less good. I struggled with a hard tyre, and in qualifying, when we used a soft tyre at the rear, the temperature went down and I struggled getting a fast lap straight away. By the time I got it warm again, it was used. During the second run, I felt good and was able to do a fast lap rapidly.  Tomorrow we will have a difficult choice to make regarding tyres for the race."