Aussie Remy Gardner ready for home Phillip Island race after fast sessions on the Yamaha R1 at Portimao, Portugal

Remy Gardner’s strong showing in World Superbike testing in Portugal has the Australian raring to go in his home race at Phillip Island.

Remy Gardner has finished in the top four during World Superbike testing in Portugal, the Australian declaring he was full of confidence heading to Phillip Island for the opening round next month.

“Let’s race,’’ Gardner said after two days of testing on the GYTR GRT Yamaha R1 machine at the Portimao circuit.

The 26-year-old was just 0.1sec behind the BMW of defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu after 52 laps on the first day on a dry track.

Remy Gardner finished 10th last season on the Yamaha R1. Picture: GRT Racing team/Facebook

Rain disrupted the second day but Gardner was still fifth just behind fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli.

“Overall, it was a good test,’’ Gardner said.

“I enjoyed the feeling on the bike, and we managed a solid number of laps on slick tyres with good pace, including a strong single-lap time.

“It was also beneficial to get some wet-weather running, as we’ll likely face similar conditions during the season, so it’s good to be prepared.’’

The 2021 Moto2 champion enjoyed his first WSBK podium last year - a third in the Dutch round in April but his results fell away later in the season and a wrist injury meant he missed the final round in Jerez to finish 10th for the year.

Gardner celebrates a strong test session with a stoppie at Portimao. Picture: GRT Racing team/Facebook

Gardner is entering his third season of the Superbike series. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Gardner will hope that his third season in the Superbike series, after moving from MotoGP in 2023, will propel him into contention, starting with his home race.

The 12-round WSBK season starts at Phillip Island on February 21-23.

“We head to Australia with confidence. I can’t wait to be there, get the season started, and see all the fans.”

Gardner’s best result at the island in any category was his sixth placing last year in the 10-lap Superpole race.

In the World Supersport category, Oli Bayliss and Luke Power are the two Australian entrants.

Bayliss, the 21-year-old son of three-time WSBK champion Troy, will this year race the Triumph Street Triple 765 after finishing the 2024 season in 14th.