For Remy Gardner, it was just not to be.

The 16-year-old son of former champion Wayne Gardner had a terrific weekend at the Australian grand prix as a wildcard Moto3 entrant.

He’d shown speed and form around the Phillip Island circuit, improving his lap times or position with each session.

But in the final warm-up lap before the Australian grand prix, Gardner’s KTM bike failed him, forcing him to start from the pits, instead of his hard-earned 24th grid position.

It took Gardner ten laps to catch up with the next rider and while he jostled well at the back of the pack, 26th place from 28 finishers is unlikely to be the sort of result that earns him a full-time Moto3 ride.

At least the talented 16-year-old won’t stay idle for long, whisked straight from the track to Tullamarine airport with his father – bound for Spain and more time on the bike.

Fellow wildcard and teenager Olly Simpson had no doubt where the day sat with him.

“It was unreal. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” he said.

The likeable South Australian burst out of the blocks before a second lap error lost him gained ground.

“I think I was up there to about 23rd, it was a really good start, I passed a lot of people in that first lap, just unfortunate I made that little mistake,” he said.

Simpson finished 11th in the European Red Bull Rookies tour and will return in 2015, hoping to pick up a Moto3 ride in 2016.

“If I got a ride, I already know I belong at this level, today was good knowledge and experience.”

“Lots of people get up from the Red Bull Rookies, there was four or five this year.”

Simpson finished 28th but lost few friends in pit lane.

“I ended up in a good group of four, I had a good fight and good race,” he said.

Moto2 wildcards Aiden Wagner and Max Croker finished at the back of their race, with regular Moto2 rider Anthony West finished 22nd.