Improved KTM gives Brad Binder a shot at MotoGP world title

As soon as the updated MotoGP world championship standings were displayed on the screen after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, commentators raised the question: “When do we start including Brad Binder as a title contender?”

The Red Bull KTM rider won the sprint race and finished second in the main race in Jerez to collect 32 out of a possible 37 points. Binder’s haul more than doubled his points total to 62 to help him move up to third in the title race. He is only three points behind Marco Bezzecchi in second place, with Francesco Bagnaia leading the race on 87 points.

With 17 MotoGP weekends remaining in 2023 and KTM’s pace improving all the time, it is game on for Binder in the title race.

Brad Binder shows class

He has consistently shown his class since moving to the premier class in 2020, but the same can’t be said of his machine. All too often the RC16’s one-lap has been lacking, meaning Binder had to start from far down on the grid to challenge for podium places.

Jerez was the perfect example of what the South African is capable of when he can start races in front. Having qualified fourth, Binder shot to the front of both the sprint and main race and cross the line in the lead more than any other rider over the weekend.

His KTM team-mate Jack Miller qualified in second and finished both races in third to ensure the Austrian outfit record a memorable weekend. Miller is one place behind Binder in the title race on 49 points.

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Just last week Red Bull KTM technical manager Sebastian Risse predicted his team is on the verge of “something big”. Risse said they hoped to fine tune a few things during the official test day in Jerez on Monday that should put them in good stead.

KTM upbeat

Binder and Miller’s performance at the weekend made it clear that KTM are catching up with Bagnaia’s Ducati at a rapid rate.

“We did something special [in Spain]. Both riders fighting for victory, leading most of the way and taking two spots on the podium.

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“Personally, I want to thank every single person involved in this project,” Red Bull KTM team manager Francesco Guidotti told the KTM website on Sunday.

“The technicians, designers, mechanics, riders, the test team … thanks everyone for these incredible results. We are looking forward and we are confident.”

The next stop on the MotoGP calendar is from 12 to 14 May in France.