• Brad Binder speaks to Wheels24 about his MotoGP prospects for 2021
• Binder entered MotoGP in 2020 and won the Rookie of the Year award.
• Binder and Miguel Oliviera will be teammates for the coming season.
• You can find more car stories at www.Wheels24.co.za
South African Brad Binder made it to the MotoGP class in 2020 and had an exceptional year. In only his third race, Binder was able to take the first victory for the Austrian manufacturer KTM in MotoGP. Consistent performance throughout the season resulted in him finishing 11th in the championship, which was enough to win the MotoGP rookie of the year.
Wheels24 sat down with Binder after the first test in 2021 and only a few days before he left for the first race on March 28th.
Your first year in MotoGP and KTM was a great year for you and your team. Do you think you will be able to keep the momentum going and how?
I like to think so much. Last year we had many good days and some difficult ones. It’s nice to go into my second season with a better understanding of the class and how everything works. I’m looking forward to getting back into racing and I’m sure I can do a much better job than last year.
Brad Binder and KTM in 2020
What did this first victory do for your profile in the team and in the MotoGP paddock?
It was definitely a great day and a special moment to take KTM’s first victory in MotoGP. Winning in MotoGP is something you as a professional motorcycle racer always dream of, but the reality is that once you’ve won, you want a lot more. Nothing really changed after that first win, but I still had a few media duties to fulfill.
What was it like going up against some of your MotoGP heroes like Valentino Rossi?
I remember going out on the first day of testing thinking, ‘How cool, this is Rossi, this is Marquez’. But it’s strange, soon reality sets in and all you think about is to win. Rossi has been my hero since I was a kid, and last year especially, I had a couple of races where we fought a bit, which was a lot of fun.
How did you like riding MotoGP?
It’s amazing, and it actually ruined every other motorcycle for me. It is so good. I’ve ridden the best of the best now and every other bike I get on doesn’t feel very good. I love riding the MotoGP bike; It’s an absolute weapon, quite scary at times, but it’s amazing how your body adapts and you get used to it, and it goes back to normal. A feeling I’ll never forget is when you’ve had a few months off and turn up the gas; It’s ridiculous, but luckily you get used to it.
What changes did you make to your off-season prep after riding MotoGP for a year?
One thing I’ve done a lot more of this off-season is motorcycling. I did a lot more motocross in the offseason than in previous years. I also trained a lot on a superbike here at home, which was nice because I got to the first test and was able to be up to date. Otherwise, my physical training program has stayed the same.
Brad Binder
You have a new team-mate this year in Miguel Oliviera. How will that change the dynamics in the team?
We’ve both been with KTM for a few years, so it’s great to have him in the pits with me again. Miguel is a really good guy and he’s super fast so it’s going to be really great for KTM in general. We’re pushing each other and I’m sure we can do a great job this season.
The KTMs seem to have struggled a little in the last test. Why do you think this is?
The first test wasn’t ideal. I fell four times, which I really don’t like. We have to work on many things; Most importantly, we need to find a little more natural turning in from the bike. It’s difficult because Qatar is a track that just doesn’t fit our bike right now, which makes it difficult. It was silly to do what I did and fall off four times to try to be up on the pace when the bike wasn’t ready. We’re not happy with the result and we definitely don’t want to be where we are in the overall standings at the moment, but we can only improve.
Due to the loss of the concessions, KTM now has a smaller engine allocation for the year and has developed a new engine. Can you tell us about it?
I’m not worried that we have fewer engines available because our engines were bulletproof last year; we had zero problems. The engine has been slightly updated for 2021 and we definitely have a bit more power. We actually had an option that was even more powerful, but since there were no testing and hot weather testing at Sepang, KTM decided not to risk that for now.
Brad Binder with Red Bull KTM’s new bike for the MotoGP season 2021
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, you will likely travel home less often this year. How do you cope with the longer absence from home and what makes South Africa so special for you?
South Africa is my home, but I’ve lived abroad since I was thirteen. I have spent more time in Europe since I was a child than anywhere else in the year. It’s great to be home, but if I go back to Europe now, I’ll be there by December. I don’t take much with me, but my girlfriend brings a bag full of goodies, including rusks, biltong and creme soda, which we enjoy.
You finished 11th in the MotoGP championship last year. Where do you want to graduate this year?
I know I can do a lot better than last year. In 2020 I spent half the year on site, which was not ideal. I would like to fight in the top 5. What I’ve learned is that when things are going well, you have to take advantage and when things don’t go well, you have to tone it down a bit and instead make sure you finish the race.
The 19-lap MotoGP season kicks off on March 28th at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Fans can follow the races live on Supersport or via live stream at www.motogp.com with a video pass subscription.