The start of the MotoGP season has been positive for Brad Binder. After two rounds, he is second in the World Championship, with a podium and a fourth place finish, trailing leader Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) by 18 points.
Asked if he feels closer to the front than last year, the South African from Red Bull KTM confirmed, stating in a press conference that he expects a much more competitive KTM RC16 in Austin compared to 2023:
– Definitely yes, I would say in Qatar for sure. In Portimão I had my difficulties, so it was a bit tough. But I think coming here is a new start again. For me it’s clear that we have taken a good step forward. I think our bike, the direction we are going, and how it’s working will be much better at this track – especially compared to last season.
Binder also spoke about his approach to the Americas GP: ‘I want to take things one step at a time, focusing on my work, doing the job. And one thing I have seen especially in the last races at the end of last season and now is that if we really work on the small details, we can always be there. That’s my goal and that’s what I plan to do‘.
The current second place in the championship is excited about the Austin round, where he hopes to make considerable progress just like last year: ‘It’s exciting to start here again. This track is quite special, it has a bit of everything. It’s really important… it’s a long lap, try to do as many laps as you can, find a good rhythm, and that’s my goal entering the weekend. Unfortunately, in Portimão I had difficulties from the first session, I couldn’t adapt well. Unfortunately, I crashed in the Sprint there, ended up fourth in the main race with a lot of help in front of me. I’m really looking forward to having another chance here. The step we took from 2022 to 2023 here was huge and I hope to take a step like that again this weekend‘.
