When Raul and Remy were drafted into Tech3 they were just left with no body, to help them adapt to the Moto bike. Their boss Herve Poncharal just told them to “stop winging and get out and ride it” so it was no wonder that they did no good with it.
Sure Remy told them what he thought of it, as any Ozzie would, and ‘They decided he would not be a suitable team member’ so they black band him, but it was not just Remy, Raul got the same treatment. They came out of there 12 months later just the same as they went in, a year wasted for both. Raul after 12 months learning is now getting to do it.
Remy rides for Yamaha in WSBK and doing well often the leading Yamaha. He did two rides for Cal Crutchlow testing for the GP team, he was asked to do it again for the next months testing, but refused saying that the testing and the racing were two full time jobs, so it was either one or the other, and he preferred to fight for the Podium in WSBK.
I don't quite follow the
left with nobody part. They did have crew chiefs, and they did have guys in the team doing the data. What was missing, do you reckon?
Herve's comment should give food for thought to the young'uns coming up. He has seen much, and he has been dealing with rookies a few times. Working more than talking, in your first year is on the face of it a decent advice.
You don't have to be from the land of Oz to be a straight talker. Miller doesn't mince his words. He is diplomatic when talking to the press, though. You don't bite the hands that feeds, in public. That is just daft.
Raul didn't get the same treatment, even if he lasted as long in the team. Raul didn't want to join, and left as soon as he could. A completely different story, even of the outcome is the same. Also, still being in MotoGP, that first year wasn't a waste for Fernandez. He merely had a long rookie season.
Remy is a good rider, and does well in WSBK, in his second season. He is on course for a Yamaha factory bike, once Rea and the team decide to call it quits. Should be soon, after next season probably.
I'd like to give an alternative spin to the negative KTM comments.
Easy to sometimes forget just how recently they've joined the MotoGP paddock, and just how big name in racing they are. So impatience is somewhat expected of them. Red Bull flowing from the taps in Austria and all.
After they established the team, it was a Pol project. In '19 they brought another good rider along, in Zarco. That failed because of the Zarco - manager relationship as much as anything else. Then came Binder in '20, and he has remained ever since.
When Pol left to destroy his career at HRC, they went for another good rider in Oliveira, who happend to ride in their satellite team. They kept him at the team for two years, and only didn't renew when KTM affiliated Ajo brought Miller back into the team. Binder still remained. Almost a family story that team. Much more than any other in the MotoGP Paddock.
The Tech3 team is a testing ground for the KTMs, and apart from Lecuona's dismissal, most of the movement have been coming from afar. Even Lecuona's story is digestable, considering the rider replacing his was a Moto2 world champion/second place.
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