SA's Brad Binder starts 2022 MotoGP season with a stellar performance, takes 2nd place

South Africa's MotoGP hero Brad Binder opened the Qatar season-opening race with a terrific performance. The local rider finished the race in second place behind Enea Bastianini.Binder started the season's qualifying session on Friday with the fastest time and then qualified to start seventh on the grid for Sunday's race.

Binder got off the line in great form, going straight to third place from the start in seventh from the grid. He took second place fairly early in the race and managed to keep his position throughout the race until the last few laps and slipped back to third.Pol Espargaro lost his second place with just a few laps to go, handing the place back to Binder, his brother Aleix Espargaro was fourth behind Binder.

That's a podium for @BradBinder_41! ??Congratulated by his brother @DarrynBinder40 on the cool down lap! ??#MotoGP | #QatarGP ???? pic.twitter.com/QZlox2zJ7d

Marc Marquez stayed on Binder's tail in fourth place during the race, but slipped down to fifth at the end of the race. Joan Mir in sixth. Alex Rin finished seventh.

Jack Muller retired from the race Alex Marquez, Miguel Olivera crashed out in separate incidents.

The gap at the front is hovering! ??@BradBinder_41 gets some info from his team as chases after race-leader @polespargaro! ??#QatarGP ???? pic.twitter.com/ZSMMZ1l44I

Pecco Bagnaia fell while in Turn 1 during the 12th lap and took himself out of the race along with Jorge Martin. 

Darryn Binder, who started his debut premium class race at the back of the grid in 24th place worked his way up to 16th place with a great effort.

There will not be a single dry eye over at @GresiniRacing! @Bestia23 HAS DONE IT! #QatarGP ???? pic.twitter.com/n6nzvGEunJ

This is a developing story...