Brad Binder chases maiden pole and stormy weather Down Under

Brad Binder was in top form in practice ahead of the Australia MotoGP yesterday, but weather could have the final say at Phillip Island this weekend.

With extreme weather conditions forecast for Sunday, MotoGP officials have decided to swop around the sprint and main race. The main is now taking place on 6.10am on Saturday with the sprint race at 5am on Sunday, weather permitting.

A wet and windy weekend is predicted, with wind gusts of up to 65 km/h are forecasted.

“This decision has been taken proactively in order to guarantee the best and safest possible show for all competitors and fans attending Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend,” MotoGP officials said in a statement.

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Brad Binder right up there

Binder set the fastest time in Friday’s second practice with a time of 1:27.943. That left the Red Bull KTM man just short of Jorge Martin’s lap record of 1:27.767.

Binder has had seven poles positions across Moto2 and Moto3, but not yet in the premier class.

Binder’s KTM team-mate Jack Miller was second at his home track, Maverick Vinales third and Martin fourth fastest.

The 10 fastest riders gain direct entry into Q2 at 2.15am, with the rest having to battle it out in Q1 for the remaining two spots.

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MotoGP title race

One of these riders fighting it out in Q1 is world champion Francesco Bagnaia, whose title race duel with Martin has tuned into a fascinating contest. The Italian was 11th fastest at Phillip Island on Friday.

Bagnaia was overtaken by Martin after last weekend’s Indonesia MotoGP sprint race, before capitalising on the Spaniard’s crash in the main race to retake the lead. With the Australia MotoGP being the first of the last five races, Bagnaia leads on 346 points, followed by Martin on 328. Marco Bezzecchi (283) is third and Binder (211) fourth. Binder is 34 points ahead of Aleix Espargaro.

Binder, who finished sixth in the main race in Indonesia after serving two Long Lap penalties, will be out make amends in Australia. Last year he could only finish 14th at Phillip Island.

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Good vibes

“In general is it a cool place but the track is always awesome. Its a place that has been good to me in the past, except for last year. Last year was extremely tough,” Binder was quoted as saying this week.

“I bet on changing that and going back to other years. It seems we will have solid weather up until Sunday. So best if we enjoy it all weekend and see what happens.”

The Moto2 race, in which Binder’s younger brother Darryn Binder will compete in, is still set for 3.15am on Sunday.