Binder brothers relax by competing in mountain bike race

After a year of ups and downs, the Binder brothers returned home to Krugersdorp a week earlier than they originally planned, and decided they wanted to do some riding of a different sort.

After a very successful MotoGP and Moto3 season respectively, Brad and Darryn Binder headed off to KwaZulu-Natal to take part in the KAP sani2c three-day mountain bike stage race from Underberg to Scottburgh.

The KAP sani2c race took place on a smaller scale this year to comply with Covid-19 regulations, and had two rather than the usual three versions of the event.

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The Adventure Run in which the Binder brothers participated took place from 2 to 4 December. It is known as the more relaxed and less competitive sani2c race and the brothers looked forward to spending three days on their bikes with their friends.

Brad said he had always planned on competing in the sani2c race and that it was fortunate that they returned home a week earlier, adding that this was the first time that he did a stage race on a mountain bike, or any bike for that matter.

Training for the MotoGP bike we do a lot of cycling. We live in Spain during the season so we do a lot of road cycling there and not a lot of mountain biking, but when I come to South Africa I only ride my mountain bike,” Brad said.

This race was also a first for younger brother Darryn who said he has always wanted to try a mountain bike stage race and also mentioned them cycling a lot for training.

Darryn finished eighth in the Moto3 Championship this year and said he had a really good season, even taking his first win.

“I am really happy with how things went and I’m happy to be back in South Africa. It was quite a long stint out of the country, and it’s great to be back with family and friends; looking forward to a good holiday,” Darryn said.

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Brad, who was named the MotoGP Rookie of the Year said, “My season was up and down this year. I had some really, really good days and some really bad ones. I think it’s to be expected in my rookie year.”

He is glad to be back in South Africa as well and plans on having fun before hopefully being in good shape and ready for the start of the new season in February.