The breathtaking Czech MotoGP triumph of the South African rookie Brad Binder at the weekend did not go unnoticed in the highest office of the African state.
In response to the 24-year-old’s victory in Central Europe in only his third elite league race, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Binder made all South Africans proud.
“We share his enthusiasm and look forward to his long and successful career at the top of his sport,” said the 67-year-old leader.
“His victory at the Czech Grand Prix gives us inspiration, hope and pride and lifts the South African mood at a time when we need it.”
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Binder, born in the university town of Potchefstroom 120 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, was the first South African to win a MotoGP race.
He was the first rookie to triumph in the premier class since 2013 and is now moving to Austria on August 16 and 23 for two events at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
Before his success in the Czech Republic, Binder finished 13th at the Spanish GP and failed to cross the finish line at the Andalusian GP this season.
His victory in Brno raised the morale of the most industrialized African nation in the struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and a troubled economy.
As of late Sunday, there were 559,858 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease in South Africa with 10,408 deaths.
Africa passed the one million infections mark last week, with more than half in South Africa.
Gauteng Province, which also includes Johannesburg and Pretoria, is the current epicenter of the virus and measures to combat it include cigarette and alcohol sales bans.
The pandemic has hit an already battered economy hard, and official unemployment rates to more than 30 percent have been widely predicted.
Second place Franco Morbidelli, winner Brad Binder and third place Johann Zarco.Source: AFP
Binder has created a series of premieres to make “a day I dreamed of as a little boy” come true.
It was the 24-year-old Binder’s first MotoGP victory in only his third race in the elite class, and it was also a first victory at this level for a South African and for the KTM team.
Binder opened his MotoGP account at the expense of Italian Franco Morbidelli on Yamaha’s SRT satellite motorcycle and French Johan Zarco on a Ducati Avintia, who finished third.
“My team gave me an absolutely insane motorcycle this weekend,” said Binder.
“I had no idea we could win, but I had the feeling that it could be good.”
THE END OF THE SEASON DECIDES
MotoGP announced on Monday that the coronavirus-affected season will end with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao on the weekend of November 20-22.
Yamaha satellite team rider Fabio Quartararo leads the championship postponed after three laps due to the COVID-19 outbreak and postponed to European races only.
“I am very proud that MotoGP will return to my country eight years after the last Grand Prix, which took place at the Circuito do Estoril in May 2012,” said the President of the International Motorcycle Federation, Jorge Viegas, in a statement.
“I would like to thank Dorna, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and the Portuguese Motorcycle Federation for managing to meet the necessary conditions to organize the final of the 2020 FIM Grand Prix World Championship in Portugal,” he added.
The event gives Miguel Oliveira, who is 12th ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, the chance to drive on home soil.
“For me a dream has come true. I rode in the World Championship there for two years, one year in the 125cc and one in Moto3, and it’s a very special place, ”said the only Portuguese rider in MotoGP.
“It is a special feeling to be racing in my home country. It is unbelievable that it is the last race, I will give everything and give everything. ”