What times to watch Brad Binder ride in Spanish MotoGP

Brad Binder’s Red Bull KTM team believes they are “ready for something big” as MotoGP resumes this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix.

KTM has had a topsy-turvy start to the season with Binder’s sprint race win in Argentina the Austrian outfit’s best result so far.

Three races into 2023, Binder is ninth in the world championship standings with 30 points and his team-mate Jack Miller 12th on 26 points.

Red Bull KTM technical manager Sebastian Risse told motogp.com that the team has been making steady progress in trying to catch up with the high-flying Ducatis. Five of the top eight riders in the title race are on a Ducati, including leader Marco Bezzecchi.

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One-lap performance

“We have evolved during the winter until now and the bike is quite different,” said Risse.

While Binder is widely regarded as a “Sunday man” for his brilliant rides in main races from far down on the starting grid and Risse admitted improving KTM is hard at work in trying to set faster MotoGP qualifying times.

“We still have a lot of work ahead of us. In free practice one, the bike normally doesn’t feel and behave very well,” added Risse.

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“You need to build the confidence to put up a good lap time in the second free practice which hopefully gains you direct entry into Q2. Once we have this part under control I think we are ready for anything.

“We have a test coming up in Jerez. I hope we take the steps there and then we will be ready for something big.”

Brad Binder praised

Risse heaped praise on Binder for the work he does behind the scenes in improving the RC16. Binder has been with KTM since 2015 through two Moto 3 and three Moto2 seasons and is now in his fourth MotoGP season.

“Brad has huge experience and he has achieved a lot more than just in terms of results. It’s also about bringing the project forward,” said Risse.

”If there is any question about something comparing to the old bike, then Brad needs to tell us.”

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Starting times

The two qualifying sessions for the Spanish MotoGP will take place at 10.50 and 11.15am on Saturday, with the sprint race commencing at 3pm.

The main race on Sunday, which uses the same starting grid as the sprint race, also starts at 3pm.

Brad Binder’s younger brother Darryn Binder will not be racing in Moto2 this weekend. He underwent successful surgery on his right hand after suffering a fracture during a crash in practice at the Grand Prix of the Americas, but has been declared unfit to start racing.