Australian motorcycle legend Wayne Gardner has slammed his treatment at the hands of Japanese police following his release from jail.
The 58-year-old on Saturday arrived back in Australia after being held in custody for 12 days over an alleged road rage incident in which he was accused of assaulting three men.
Upon landing back at Sydney Airport, he said he was relieved to be home, describing his experience as "horrendous"
"I never want to do that again," Gardner said.
Gardner was detained after a minor road incident at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
He was at the Japanese Grand Prix to support his son Remy who rides in the Moto 2 category.
The bingle was alleged to have turned violent and he was taken to jail in Shimotsuke, 100km north of Tokyo, where he was questioned by police almost daily.
He said he was deprived of communication with the outside world as he was detained without charge.
"I haven't been able to have any contact with anybody, that's the problem," Gardner said.
"Being locked up in a cell for 12 days with no communication."
After paying a AUS$3000 fine for his release, he arrived back in Sydney to visit his parents who were understandably upset by the incident.
He said he was offered little assistance by Australian consular officials, describing their aid as "very small, not much".
He said he had been concerned about his son and was disappointed at having to miss two of his races.
"I'm speechless about the whole thing, annoyed. I'm very relieved to see you guys," Gardner said.
"You have no ideas what happens in those situations.
"To cut you off from communication and when your son is racing and they won't tell you where he is or how he has or has he crashed? And that wasn't for one every, that was for two."
While upset he said he had no plans to take the issue further.
