South African MotoGP riders Brad Binder registered his best result of the 2022 season at this past weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, finishing 5th.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider started the 26-lap race in 10th place, but found himself in the top five almost as soon as the race began.
Despite light rain threatening the South African’s race, he kept a cool head in his duels with Maverick Vinales (#12) and Jack Miller (#43) for the final podium spot. Almost out of nowhere, Aleix Espargaró (#41) launched an attack on Binder and Miller, passing both to take fourth place behind Vinales. In the end, Binder came home in fifth place, but was less than 0.2 seconds away from fourth place and less than 1.5sec adrift of Vinales.
The result was Binder’s best of the season, and it would indeed have been more rewarding around the technical and demanding TT Circuit Assen.
“A good race, and it felt like it was qualifying from the start to the end. I tried my heart out for the podium; I thought it was possible. On the last lap, I dived up the inside of Jack (Miller), but then Aleix got us both. I’m glad we all made it around, and nobody crashed,” said Binder.
“Anyway, it was nice to have a top-five finish; it’s been a while. I started at the front, more than I have done lately, and it’s easier to be fighting from 10th than, say, 15th. I think we got some good data for the team, and it’s clear where we need to improve. Once we get it right then, I believe we will be really strong.”
Brad Binder (#33)
Brad Binder (#33) dueling with Maverick Vinales (#12)
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