The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team returned to action at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão for Round 2 of the 2026 WorldSBK season, with Remy Gardner delivering a determined performance to secure a points finish in Race 1.
After gathering valuable track time in Free Practice 3, the Australian rider pushed hard in the Tissot Superpole session, posting a solid lap of 1’39.500 to qualify 12th on the grid for both Race 1 and the Superpole Race.
Despite a challenging start that saw him lose positions off the line, Gardner showed strong race pace throughout the 20-lap contest. Fighting his way through the field, the #87 rider executed a consistent recovery ride to finish 13th and collect valuable championship points.
On the other side of the garage, rookie Stefano Manzi experienced a more demanding day. Following an encouraging FP3 result where he placed 11th, the Italian struggled to maximize his Superpole performance, qualifying 17th with a 1’40.203 lap time.
In Race 1, Manzi faced a tough opening lap but remained focused, demonstrating improved pace in the latter stages. He ultimately crossed the line in 17th, gaining important experience as he continues his adaptation to the WorldSBK category.
Both GYTR GRT Yamaha riders will return to the track on Sunday for the Warm Up session, followed by the Tissot Superpole Race at 11:10 and Race 2 at 15:30 local time.
Remy Gardner – Superpole: P12 / Race 1: P13
“I gave it everything in Superpole and the lap was solid, but not quite enough to move further up the grid. That made Race 1 more difficult, especially after losing positions at the start. It’s frustrating because our pace was strong and we had the potential for a better result. Still, we’ve got another opportunity tomorrow and we’re confident we can make a step forward.”
Stefano Manzi – Superpole: P17 / Race 1: P17
“It was a tough Saturday overall. We made progress in the morning, which was encouraging, but Superpole didn’t go as planned. In the race, I tried to stay competitive, but it wasn’t easy managing the battles. Our pace improved towards the end, which is a positive, but we know there’s more to find. We’ll keep working and aim for a better result tomorrow.”
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