Brad Binder faced one of the most challenging seasons of his MotoGP career, yet he acknowledged that world champion Marc Marquez “always seems to have a trick up his sleeve.” While riders primarily concentrate on their own performance throughout a race weekend, they often review past races to assess their competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
Last year, Marc Marquez stood out as the toughest competitor. The rising Ducati factory rider won 25 out of the 36 races he started before a Mandalika injury sidelined him. “When I watched the races at home, it was clear that Marc always had an extra edge up his sleeve,” Binder told Crash.net. “Whenever he needed to make a crucial move, he had that extra few percent, which was really impressive to see.”
Marquez’s championship campaign included a dominant 15-race winning streak mid-season. Although he missed the last four races, he still finished just 78 points behind his younger brother, Alex Marquez. Aside from early mistakes in COTA, Jerez, and Misano, and challenging wet weather at Le Mans, Marquez’s only losses occurred at the Silverstone Sprint, Catalunya GP, Motegi (where his focus was on securing the title), and the Mandalika Sprint.
Seven different riders took victories during the season, but Marco Bezzecchi was the only one to win consecutive Grands Prix, achieving this after Marquez’s injury at Mandalika. Notably, every rider who placed in the championship’s top 10 earned at least one podium finish.
Binder, who ended the season 11th overall, was the highest-ranked rider without a podium, marking the first time in his MotoGP career he didn’t celebrate with champagne. LCR’s Johann Zarco, who won a Grand Prix, finished 12th behind Binder, while KTM’s Enea Bastianini and HRC’s Joan Mir, who also stood on the podium last season, finished 14th and 15th respectively.
“This year has been a rollercoaster for many riders,” Binder admitted. “So, when you arrive at a new circuit, it’s tough to know who stands where.”
Tomorrow, Binder will showcase KTM’s 2026 MotoGP livery alongside teammate Pedro Acosta and Tech3 riders Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.
Fan Take:
This insight into Marquez’s relentless competitiveness highlights just how critical mental edge and strategy are in MotoGP, not just raw speed. For racing fans, the evolving battle among top riders like Marquez and rising talents promises a thrilling and unpredictable future for the sport.
