Riders are seen at the start of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit October 16, 2016. Former Australian motorcycling world champion Wayne Gardner was arrested at Motegi today after he was accused of assaulting three men at the circuit. — AFP pic

MOTEGI (Japan), Oct 16 — Former Australian motorcycling world champion Wayne Gardner was arrested at the Japan Grand Prix today after he got involved in an argument with other visitors and was accused of assaulting them, police said.

The 1987 500cc champion got into trouble after his car scratched the vehicle of three Tokyo men, police said.

Gardner, 57, allegedly grabbed each of the men by the collar and pushed them around, a local police spokesman said.

“He was arrested on charges of assault inside the Twin Ring Motegi,” the police spokesman told AFP, referring to the circuit where the championship was taking place.

The Australian denied the charges, saying he was only trying to disengage himself from one of the men who had grabbed his body, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported.

Gardner was visiting the site to watch his son’s race, the Asahi Shimbun daily said.

Gardner is a legendary road racer, with four victories at the Suzuka Eight Hours motorcycle endurance race in addition to the 1987 500cc world championship. — AFP