It is not about how you start but how you finish.
This was true for the Potch speed freak on two wheels, Brad Binder, who pulled together the first win for South Africa in 35 years when he won the Spanish Moto 3 Grand Prix at Jerez on Sunday, 24 April. Jon Ekerold was the last South African to win a Grand Prix in 1981 at Monza, Italy in the 350 cc class.
Bradical, as his friends call him, completed an astonishing victory for his Red Bull KTM Ajo-team from the back of the grid to pass 34 other riders on his way to a first place finish.
At Jerez, Binder went flat-out and reached 21st place after the first lap, passing the other riders almost at will. Soon enough, he was part of the leading trio, eventually passing them and winning by a large 3.3-second gap. Binder is currently leading the championship, having been on the podium in all four races thus far.
Binder (20) was born in Potchefstroom and homeschooled as he spent most of his school years overseas where he frequently competed on the World stage from 2011. He honed his craft in the Moto 3 division with Mahindra and now KTM since 2015.
Last year was a breakthrough year for Binder, who finished sixth in the championship, with four podium finishes for the South African.
Moto 3 is a springboard towards the prestigious Moto GP division and something that this local blonde will surely experience sooner than later. For now, he has had his first taste of the top of the podium – something he will surely savour for as long as he can.
“I knew there was a possibility of doing it because I had been very strong the whole weekend, but actually managing it was incredible. I am very grateful to my parents, Red Bull KTM Ajo and Aki [Ajo]. It’s a great day for me, for my country and I hope for many more people as well,” he said on Moto GP’s website.
The next race on the Moto 3 calendar is at the iconic Le Mans track in France on Sunday, 8 May 2016.
2016 Moto 3 standings (after 4 races):
1) Brad Binder: 77 points
2) Jorge Navarro: 62 points
3) Romano Fenati: 47 points
Interesting facts:
- He was born in Potchefstroom on 11 August 1995
- Favourite food is biltong and KFC
- He has a brother, Darryn Binder, who also races in Moto 3.
