Brad Binder describes it as "crazy" to realize that when the championship returns to Brno in the Czech Republic this weekend, it will mark five years since his stunning victory in 2020, which was also KTM’s first MotoGP win. The South African rider’s unexpected triumph came in just his third MotoGP race, establishing him as an emerging talent in the sport.
Now one of the more seasoned riders in the category, Binder is preparing for a demanding 2025 season. “It’s always great to revisit a track where you have fond memories, and to think it’s already been five years is unbelievable!” Binder said on Thursday.
After securing his second MotoGP win with a clever tire choice in wet conditions at the Red Bull Ring the following year, he hasn’t yet returned to the top step of the podium. This season, his best finish before Brno was sixth place, and KTM remains the only manufacturer without a podium this year.
The 29-year-old is hopeful that the revamped Brno circuit, with its unique layout, will suit the strengths of the KTM RC16. “The nature of these corners could help us with the longer, slower corner exits,” Binder explained. “That’s where our bike improves a lot, though we won’t fully understand it until we hit the track tomorrow morning after the resurfacing.”
Rumors suggest that private tests at Brno showed increased grip due to the track resurfacing, with lap times beating previous records by several seconds. “The grip here is really good, and lap times are looking very fast. You hope that reflects five years of development,” Binder said. “I’m excited to move forward; I feel like I’m slowly recovering from a tough period and getting back into the groove.”
Binder also shared insights into KTM’s technical challenges this year. “At the start of the season, we struggled with significant chatter first at the rear and then the front,” he said. “Now we have it under control. What we really need is a bit more front-end grip, which is what we are focusing on.”
This marks Binder’s 12th MotoGP season, alongside teammate Pedro Acosta, who is currently 8th, and the injured Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Viñales, ranked 11th. Pol Espargaró, Binder’s 2020 teammate, will return to ride the RC16 this weekend as a substitute for Viñales.
Fan Take: This milestone at Brno is more than just a nostalgic moment; it highlights KTM’s ongoing journey to regain competitiveness in MotoGP. For racing fans, witnessing Binder and KTM harness the potential of the updated track could signal a resurgence that adds fresh excitement and competition to the sport.
