‘Technical difficulties’ is not a term Brad Binder is familiar with.
While he sat down to check into the interview from sunny Austin, Texas ahead of the Grand Prix of the Americas, bandwidth issues led to a delayed interview start. Regardless, Binder had a keen smile as his charismatic personality flowed through the screen as smoothly as the South African hopes to take his corners this weekend.
Binder began racing motorcycles after originally starting out in karting. He quickly became infatuated with bike racing after watching his dad perform at the local track, and his dream to one day become a MotoGP rider was born.
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His journey from karting in Potchefstroom to motorcycle racing on the world stage has been rapid and dominant, but Binder isn’t done yet. The 26-year-old’s meteoric rise has coincided with MotoGP’s explosion of popularity in South Africa – which is certainly no accident.
“I only really get to go home to visit family and friends in December, but I’ll see how MotoGP has grown,” Binder exclusively told the Daily Star. “It’s crazy how many people seem to enjoy it just as much as I do.
“It’s amazing to have so much support back home in South Africa – I find it really motivates me to try and give a little bit extra to do the best I can.”
His daring style is a convoluted attempt at combining the talents of his idols Kevin Schwartz, Wayne Rainey, and seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi. While he acknowledges it is easier said than done, Binder is proud of his ability to remain consistent – a key trait necessary for success in a 21-race 2022 season.
Brad Binder became the first South African to win a MotoGP Grand Prix when he claimed the checkered flag at the 2020 Czech Republic Grand Prix
(Image: Rob Gray/Polarity Photo)
The South African is currently second in the Riders’ Standings after finishing P2 in the season-opener in Qatar followed by P8 and P6 in Indonesia and Argentina respectively. When questioned about his performances on any given weekend, Binder calmly explains his biggest strength.
“I’ve always raced much better than I qualify or practice; that’s something that I can always rely on,” Binder added. “At the end of the day, points in the race is what counts so it’s always been beneficial to me throughout my career.
“The main thing about MotoGP is it’s my dream job and what I have worked towards since I was 12 years old. This has been the end goal.
“To be here now, sometimes I need to pinch yourself because it’s a dream come true. But at the end of the day, I’m here to win and it’s no fun when you’re not winning.”
Brad Binder secured P2 at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix to get his 2022 campaign off and running
(Image: Rob Gray/Polarity Photo)
Do you think Brad Binder will win the 2022 Riders’ Championship? Let us know in the comments section.
If that’s true, then Binder certainly had fun when he announced his arrival in MotoGP back in 2020, winning as a rookie in just his third grand prix. After crashing out in back-to-back races in Jerez, the South African won the Czech Republic Grand Prix, remarkably emerging victorious from the first MotoGP race he actually finished.
While he conceded his first race win in Moto3 was special, Binder singled out his rookie triumph as his best career memory to date. With a grin stretched across his face, the KTM star said: “It’s really hard to beat that first win in Brno, because you’re against the best riders in the world on the best bikes.
“To walk away with a win is just an unbelievable feeling, especially that early on in my MotoGP career. It was incredible – very unexpected. It was a fantastic day for me and my team, the first win for KTM in MotoGP.”
Binder’s career has been intertwined with KTM since the junior series, so it was fitting he delivered theie first MotoGP Grand Prix win in their fourth season as a team. The long-term relationship that has developed between the rider and the factory allows the 26-year-old to ride comfortably without fear.
Brad Binder finished sixth in Argentina last time out to cement his solid start in the Riders’ Championship
(Image: Rob Gray/Polarity Photo)
“We won the Moto3 championship and went straight into Moto2 with them before MotoGP, so to be honest, the only thing that changed was the size of the motorbike! The foundation stayed the same,” Binder revealed. “I love life at KTM.
“I’ve got a long term contract, so it’s amazing to know that I’ll be here until 2024. I see improvements day by day; the guys are working extremely hard, and we just need to try to stay on top of things.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully reaching that last step with them and fighting for a world title. I truly believe that we can do something great together.”
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With an exhilarating overtaking ability while donning the number 33 for a Red Bull-backed team, the comparisons to Formula 1 star Max Verstappen are easy to make. Binder welcomes them, but he understands work and performances are needed before he can consider such glory.
“It’s pretty cool to share a number with the F1 world champ, it’s special,” Binder said. “He’s a legend. I’ve got quite a long way to go to get to where he is, that’s for sure.”
When asked if Red Bull will soon claim world champions across the two motorsports, the South African laughed.
“It would be fantastic! Fingers crossed.”
The 2022 MotoGP season continues with the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas this weekend, with the race on April 10.