Qatar just the place for Brad Binder to kick-start MotoGP season

MotoGP’s Brad Binder-led South African contingent will look to make amends at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend.

Not MotoGP star Binder, but his younger brother Darryn Binder, competing in Moto2 or Moto3 sensation Ruché Moodley, left the season’s third round in Austin, Texas, with any points.

Brad Binder, who also finished outside the points in the sprint race, had to retire from the main race with electrical issues. The Red Bull KTM rider was well on his way to a top-five finish at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

Darryn Binder hopeful

Darryn Binder did not line up for the Moto2 race after fracturing his left hand during qualifying. After surgery, the Gresini Moto2 rider is confident he’ll be declared fit to race in Qatar.

Moodley came agonisingly close to finishing his first three Moto3 races in the points. The Denssi Sports/BOE rider, who was placed 11th and 15th in his first two races, finished in 16th place at COTA. The teenager was a mere two-tenths of a second outside the points.

The Lusail International Circuit on the outskirts of Doha is a happy hunting ground for Brad Binder. He has finished been runner-up at the 5.4km layout three times, once in Moto3 and twice in MotoGP.

Brad Binder leads KTM charge

Whether or not his KTM will be up for challenge this time around is a different story. Binder, who is in 11th place in the title race with only 19 points, is still the leading KTM rider alongside Enea Bastianini (16), Pedro Acosta (16) and Maverick Vinales (six). That is a proverbial country mile from the leading trio, Alex Marquez (87), Marc Marquez (86) and Pecco Bagnaia (75).

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All eyes will be on world champion Jorge Martin this weekend, who makes his first appearance of the season. The Spaniard missed the first three rounds due to injury and is set to make his Aprilia debut in Qatar.

The 11-lap night sprint race in Qatar will start at 7pm on Saturday and the 22-lap main race at 7pm on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, the Moto3 race gets underway at 4pm and the Moto2 race at 5.15pm.