© 2019, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release by Red Bull KTM and Red Bull KTM Tech3 :.
BRAD BINDER TAKES THE STEP TO MOTOGP IN 2020 WITH RED BULL KTM TECH3
MotoGP announcement
KTM will be welcoming their next MotoGP racer to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Red Bull KTM Moto3 and Moto2 ranks when Brad Binder competes at Red Bull KTM Tech3 with former teammate Miguel Oliveira next season . Binder is said to be the first South African to be included in the top tier list of the premier class since 2000.
The 23-year-old Moto3 world champion from 2016 will drive the KTM RC16 next year after three seasons, 3 victories and so far 8 podiums in the Moto2 category. Binder made his Grand Prix debut in 2011 (as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race winner) and took his first silver medal in 2014. In 2016, he won the 2016 world title in his second term with Red Bull KTM Ajo (he became South Africa’s first world champion in thirty-six years and only the third from his country) and immediately moved up to Moto2 with the same team. He drove alongside Oliveira in 2017 and 2018.
In MotoGP, Binder will be the first South African to compete in the four-stroke era and to collect significant points since Kork Ballington, Jon Ekerold and Brett Hudson in the early 1980s.
Binder will support Red Bull KTM Tech3 for the team’s second season in “Orange” and the early stages of a young project for both the squad and the brand.
Brad Binder: “It’s incredible to have this opportunity. I would like to thank KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, my manager and my family very much for helping me get into the premier class and be able to try. It’s an incredible feeling right now and a dream comes true. When you grow up that’s your goal – to be with the best riders in the world on the best bikes in the MotoGP class – so it’s a crazy feeling right now. “
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “Being able to sign Brad Binder for our MotoGP project is an exciting moment because he has been with us for five years and is one of our world champions. We have a strong history and connection and we are very excited to continue this way. It is clear that we all have a great challenge ahead of us and we also feel responsible for ensuring that he can continue on this good path that we are walking together. We also like the fact that Brad has that distinctive riding style that allows him to push a bike and project to the max. We feel that he “suits” us and we can’t wait to see how he handles and attacks a MotoGP bike. I am sure that he can add some additional and special things, because he has done that with every motorcycle he has ridden and it will be a highlight not only for us, but for all MotoGP fans. “
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull KTM Tech3 team manager: “Brad is someone I’ve followed since he entered the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup championship and later in Moto3. I think that the Miguel Oliveira / Brad Binder team will be reunited with us next year is something that shows that the Red Bull KTM organization and the path are working. It will be a strong team as I think there will be a great relationship between him and Miguel. Along with Red Bull, KTM and Tech3 there was never a doubt that this is the line-up we wanted and I want to thank KTM for their investment, I thank Red Bull for their support. I would like to give Brad a warm welcome and tell him that we will be following him even more closely in the second part of the Moto2 season. I am sure that he will win a few races, maybe fight for the title and we are ready to work with him from the Valencia test onwards. ”