Gardner, Spencer and Schwantz victorious

Aussie icon Wayne Gardner took time out from watching his son Remy compete in the 2015 Moto3 title to return to the race track at Jerez from June 19-21 at the World GP Bike Legends, alongside his fellow 500 GP world champions Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz as well as luminaries such as New Zealander Graeme Crosby, Christian Sarron, Phil Read and Steve Parris.

Although not on a Honda which made him such a famous GP name, instead a 1989 model Cagiva V589, Gardner made a winning return in the opening 500cc Legends race, just pipping Belgian Didier de Radiguès (1998 Suzuki RGV500) and Schwantz (1995 RGV500). It was a close battle between the legends, with polesitter Sarron (1988 Yamaha YZR500) dicing with Niggi Schmassmann (1989 YZR500) and Freddie Spencer (1981 Yamaha OW48R) for fourth place.

“Wow! Winning feels as good as ever, but just to be out there riding with all these guys is amazing, said Gardner. "It’s a dream come true really, I’ve been involved from very early on in this project and it’s so good to see people here meeting their heroes and watching these amazing bikes again.”
 The remaining two races were won by Spencer and Schwantz.

The World GP Bike Legends attracted a huge gathering of former world champions and race winners from the two-stroke era between 1980 and 1999, with classes for 125 and 250cc machinery as well as the highside-loving 500s.

There will also plenty of entertainment over the three days—including Bonnie Tyler to give the event a real ’80s theme! Can you imagine Gardner and Schwantz holding hands and singing along to 'Total eclipse of the heart'?