The helmet Brad Binder wore during the Indonesia MotoGP. Picture: KTM
Never mind his sleeve, Brad Binder wore his heart on his head at the Indonesia MotoGP this weekend.
The Red Bull KTM star took part in Lombok wearing a specially designed helmet in support of the Springboks, who take on host nation France in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday night.
The helmet design swapped out the South African flag colours it usually feature at the top with the word “Player” added to his race number 33 printed in green gold. At the back, the words “Go Bokke” were displayed alongside an avatar of a Springbok holding a rugby ball.
The Red Bull KTM team posted pictures of the helmet on social media, promoting South Africa’s “Player 33”. Before the number of players allowed in match day squad was increased to 23, “Player 23” was a well-known marketing ploy used in South Africa referring to a rugby team’s biggest supporter.
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Changing helmet designs is a general occurrence in top class motorsport. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is known for sporting various designs in support of certain causes or in commemoration of something.
“Well, as a South Africa we all love rugby,” the 28-year-old Binder said during a MotoGP interview in Indonesia.
“I think the Rugby World Cup comes around every so many years. It’s always awesome, the whole country goes mad a little bit. It’s cool to do something to support them.”
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Binder’s support did not go unnoticed in the Bok camp. SA’s Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, thanked the rider on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
“Danko @BradBinder_33!! All the best that side,” Erasmus posted.
Erasmus will hope that the Boks have a better outing against France than Binder did in Indonesia.
The KTM man crashed out of the sprint race from fifth place on Saturday after being collected from behind by Aleix Espargaro.
He finished sixth in the main race on Sunday after having to serve to long lap penalties. He made contact with Luca Marini and later with Miguel Oliviera.
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Binder earned 10 points for his sixth place to see his total grow to 211 points in the title race. Francesco Bagnaia, who won the main race in Indonesia, leads the way on 346 points. Behind the Italian are Jorge Martin (328) and Marco Bezzecchi (283).
MotoGP now moves Down Under for next weekend’s Australia Grand Prix.
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