Brad Binder praised as the 'lion' driving his KTM team forward in MotoGP

South African MotoGP ace Brad Binder (28) had an absolute stellar weekend of racing in Austria.

Lining up in second place for his Red Bull KTM team's home race, the boytjie from Potchefstroom launched off the line beautifully to slot in behind pole-sitter and eventual winner Francesco Bagnaia.

For half of the 28-lap race, Binder kept within touching distance of the 2023 championship leader, but declining grip on his RC16's rear tyre saw him settling into securing second place.

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"I knew from (Saturday) that we were looking for drive grip, but I did everything I could; protect where I could and push where I could on the brakes," Binder reflected after the race.

"I tried to keep (Bagnaia) honest in the first half of the race, but there was a moment where the rear grip just said 'goodbye', and I knew I had to be clever and just bring the bike home."

Binder is fourth in the 2023 MotoGP standings on 160 points. Australian teammate Jack Miller is eighth with 96 points.

Closing the gap

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is currently fourth in the Teams' championship, with KTM the second-best manufacturer after Ducati (Bagnaia's bosses). Having entered the top echelon of two-wheel racing in 2017, it is a major feat for a brand associated with racing to be in such a strong position after a handful of years.

Incidentally, Red Bull KTM's first MotoGP win came at Binder's hands in 2020, with another following in 2021. But with 2022 being winless and 2023 (finally) conjuring several Sprint victories, Binder and KTM are poised for at least one win on a Sunday in one of the nine remaining races this year.

READ | SA's Brad Binder finishes 2nd at Austrian