Since leaving Tech 3 KTM following a dismal rookie season in MotoGP, Fernandez has looked reborn with RNF Aprilia, both on and off-track. 

Fernandez was a constant presence inside the top 15 positions throughout the three day test, with a best finish of sixth taking place on day two. 

But while his level of performance has picked up since jumping aboard the Aprilia, it’s Fernandez’s demanor which has greatly changed since last season.

“I came back to my normal training but I enjoyed that,” said Fernandez when asked if anything about his off-season preparation had changed. “When I came here [Sepang] I said – ‘I’m happy with my life’ – I will be happy on a MotoGP bike also. 

“The team helped me a lot and they made me very calm in all the difficult moments. It looks always easy but sometimes our mind as a rider is complicated. For that, I think I have a really nice team and they give me the support necessary.”

Fernandez also heaped praise on both Razlan Razali (RNF Aprilia Team Owner) and Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager) for the impact they’ve had since his move to Aprilia.

The former Moto2 runner-up said: “From the bike I don’t know [what is the best attribute]. But I know that it’s a big family and this is amazing. Not just with Aprilia but my team with Razlan [Razali] and Wilco [Zeelenberg]. They did a fantastic job with us, with the rider, I mean. 

“They support us like a factory rider even though I was never a factory rider. I feel that Aprilia supports me like a factory rider. They give me the confidence to go fast.”

Fernandez impressed by race pace at Sepang MotoGP test

While it was his time attack runs which saw him challenge for a top ten finish on day three, the performance shown over longer runs is what pleased Fernandez the most, even if he was quick to point out that Sepang is not representative of the circuits that will follow.

Fernandez added: “Was a very nice test for me. I worked a lot on myself like I said before. It was important to work on myself but it was a nice surprise to have the time that I have. 

“Especially the [race] pace, it was so good. I’m really happy but Sepang is not easy and it’s not a reference for the championship. 

“It is true day-by-day that MotoGP is getting closer. It’s true that I saw 21 riders within a second which is amazing. But I’m really happy from my side and Aprilia did a great job with the bike. 

“They worked like animals during this winter. From Valencia to here I changed a lot my mind and you can see in the results.”

After making his Aprilia debut in Valencia following a disastrous rookie season with the Tech 3 KTM team, Fernandez will now be in action for the first time this year during the upcoming three-day Sepang MotoGP test. 

Fernandez, who will be alongside fellow newbie to Aprilia, Miguel Oliveira, was the hottest property when it came to up-and-coming talents after his stunning rookie Moto2 season in 2021.

But after a difficult season with KTM where Fernandez looked lost for confidence, a second opportunity in the premier class has since come his way, which is one he can’t wait to begin properly after his debut aboard the RS-GP ‘was a nice surprise’. 

 

Discussing his first impressions and what he liked most about the Aprilia on the eve of the Sepang test, Fernandez added: “Was a nice surprise. The bike was super easy to ride. The engine is amazing and I feel super different on the bike. 

“I cannot explain all the differences I have on the bike but the most impressive thing about the bike is that it’s not too physical. 

“Also, I had a super bad weekend with KTM, the last race with KTM and I was in the hospital so I was not in good [condition] for the test, but on the bike I felt really good.”

When it comes to this weekend and what the Spaniard wants to achieve, putting together a complete test where many productive laps are set, is the main goal.

“A lot,” said Fernandez when asked if he’s excited to be aboard the RS-GP22 again. “I can say I will ride the Aprilia bike. To be honest I’m really happy to come back after a really difficult year for me. 

“I come back here to Malaysia and we will do three days. I will not do crazy things on the test, just I want to do a lot of laps and get more confidence for myself. 

“I think this is my principle job during the pre-season. When I take confidence in myself I will get some faster times. Now is the time to focus on myself and enjoy again the bike because I never enjoyed the last year when I ride. 

“This for a rider is really difficult to manage. Anyway, I’m really happy with the team I have, and Aprilia. 

“I come to the box and it feels like my house, I don’t know why. Also, I come back [to being] with my crew chief from Moto2. That is important for me. I can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow.”

Following a disappointing rookie MotoGP season with Tech 3 KTM, Gardner was left with no option but to look at WorldSBK or Moto2. 

And after receiving interest from both championships, Gardner decided that Yamaha and WorldSBK was the way to go as he signed for GRT in place of the departing Garrett Gerloff.

Gardner, who made his debut during a two-day Jerez test last month, was unable to complete the amount of laps intended due to poor weather, however, his initial impression was a good one.

Gardner said: “It was good, but unfortunately we had a lot of rain and we didn’t get any dry time which is a shame. Anyway, we got a lot of time in the wet which was good for me to start to understand the Pirellis and to get a bit more comfortable on the bike. I think we made really good progress over the two days. 

“I like that the bike moves around and slides a lot more than the MotoGP bike. I prefer this feeling, this movement.”

Despite the 2023 WorldSBK season consisting of one of the strongest rookie line-ups ever, Gardner is already eyeing up podiums.  

“At the moment, the goal is to improve race after race,” the Australian added. “This year it would be nice to fight for podiums, but I have a lot to learn. 

“New championship, new bike, everything is still quite new. It will take me some time to adapt. I hope we can have some strong races and maybe some podiums.”

While his style is unique and unmatched, Gardner will be able to pour over the data of 2021 world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu due to the Turkish star remaining at Yamaha in 2023.

During the test Gardner spent a few laps behind the Pata Yamaha rider, although gathering an accurate comparison was described as ‘difficult’ due to the weather.

Gardner said: “I checked with Toprak a little bit, even though it was a bit difficult to compare because the conditions were a little bit different. 

“It was difficult to compare but I’ve already seen some data and it’s nice to have this for the future.”

The former Moto2 world champion will make his official WorldSBK debut during his home round at Phillip Island next month, after leaving the Tech 3 KTM team to join GRT Yamaha on a one-year deal towards the end of last season.

Gardner, who will ride alongside back-to-back WorldSSP champion Dominique Aegerter, has since revealed that Yamaha weren’t the only manufacturer to approach him about moving to WorldSBK.

Discussions with Aruba.it Ducati Racing Team Manager, Serafino Foti, also took place before deciding to sign with the Japanese brand due to a much ‘simpler and clearer contract’ being offered.

Speaking to GPOne.com, Gardner said: “Ducati sought me out to race in Superbike. I got to talk with Serafino Foti and it was a very interesting conversation. But, in the end, I chose Yamaha because after all the difficulties I encountered in 2022 they made me realise that they really wanted me and presented me with a much simpler and clearer contract. 

“Ducati wanted me too but it was nothing concrete, since I would have been repositioned in a satellite team. 

“I saw Yamaha was very convinced and it was nice to see the representative of a factory team say to me, ‘We want you. Here is the contract. Let’s make it happen’.” 

While Gardner has moved away from MotoGP to WorldSBK, a switch that is very rarely completed in the other direction, the Australian is still holding out hope for a second chance in Grand Prix racing, which he feels was ‘maybe deserved’. 

“My 2022 was a really complicated year. I tried to do my best asking, among other things, that some things be changed. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do,” added Gardner.

“In the end that’s what happened and today I’m here in Superbike. Maybe I deserved a second chance, and If I had been given one I would have signed, doing my best as I always have. 

“I’m a rider who always tries to do his best, but maybe they did me a favour.”

The former Tech 3 KTM MotoGP rider has been the most impressive WorldSBK rookie so far this season, while Honda have also taken big steps forward in their development of the CBR1000RR-R.

However, Honda remains locked in a battle with BMW to see who will finish fourth in the constructors championship, with only five points separating them. 

Lecuona is the leading Honda rider as he sits eighth in the WorldSBK standings heading into Portimao, which is one spot ahead of Scott Redding. 

Lecuona, who was part of a two-day test for Team HRC at Aragon recently, tried a multitude of new parts although none will be brought forward for the remaining four rounds of 2022.

Speaking ahead of this weekend, Lecuona added: “I expect a lot but at the same time, I want to stay calm. I feel strong with the bike; I feel good, happy, confident with the team and myself. 

“Portimao is a track I know well since 2016. I like the track, it’s difficult, but in winter we had two days testing here with Superbike. My target is to stay close to the top guys and try to recover points to Lowes and Locatelli who I think we can fight with for P5 overall. 

“We had two days testing at Aragon last week; we tried something on the base. In Barcelona, in the end, we struggled a lot with the rear tyre. We had a lot of problems with the electronics and with the power and grip. I think we improved it but, if I’m honest, this year it’s the bike we have. 

“We don’t have anything more. All the new parts we tried at the Aragon test are for next year. We want to start next year in a top position if we can; I know we have the speed and if we find a little bit more rear grip, we can have pretty good results in the last races.”

‘I just need to get fitter and faster’ – Michael Van Der Mark

Without the Dutchman for much of the season, BMW’s hopes of beating Honda to fourth in the championship could be aided by the experienced Van Der Mark, who is getting closer to full fitness.

The former Honda and Yamaha rider has had a disastrous 2022 campaign due to injury, while claiming the ‘speed is still there’ and that he just needs to unlock it.

Van Der Mark added: “I just need to get laps in and get fitter and faster. I missed half the season, it’s not easy to get back on the bike. 

“The base speed is always there but it’s just the last little bit which is hard to find. Everyone has a different mentality and I’m just chasing them. We have to stay calm and go step by step. 

“When you get tracks like this that I really enjoy, it makes life a bit easier. I think the first thing for Garrett [Gerloff], it was nice in Barcelona to see him gain his confidence back and getting back on the podium. 

“Everybody knows he’s a fast rider, a talented rider, and I think he’s been having some issues since 2021. I’m sure now when he gets confidence back, he’ll jump on the BMW and he will get up to speed as well.”