Since the start of this Moto2 season, which opens a new era in the category with the Triumph engine, KTM has been absent. The chassis of the Mattighofen firm do not take off from the second part of the peloton, a slump such that it gives the leader of the troops Brad Binder the desire to leave. And then, miraculously, Assen arrived…
A meeting in the Netherlands where we suddenly saw the official KTMs find themselves at the forefront. It should be noted that the improvement only concerned the Ajo team in terms of its magnitude. The rookie and reigning Moto3 World Champion Jorge Martin was in on it and Brad Binder has finally rediscovered the taste for fighting for victory. For the South African, it was time: “ I had a difficult start to the season and that's why it's even more pleasant to be back on the podium » declared the 23-year-old pilot. “ In the last race I still had to fight to reach the points, so second place here in Assen is very satisfying ».
However, everything is not yet very certain at KTM : " in the morning, I didn't think I could finish the race in such a position. From warmup to the race, we made great progress with the bike. Even though the race didn't go well, I take the positives with me. It's great to be on the podium again. I would like to win a few more races this season ».
Whether the success in the Netherlands was due to the technical advancements on the bike or the track itself cannot be determined by the KTM rider. The current bike also performed well at Las Termas, Jerez and partly at Le Mans. Conversely, Binder went through hell at Mugello.
Brad hopes that every race weekend will now be like in the Netherlands. Because at the Sachsenring he has already excelled in Moto3. “ We were very close to victory last year, but I haven't been able to make it happen yet this year. At Assen I thought I wouldn't have the right pace and it would be difficult to improve and go faster ».
« I am happy. I think KTM in Brno will deliver a chassis update and I hope we can resolve some issues. If we succeed, we will have a very strong second half of the season ". Last year, Brad Binder won three races in Moto2. And he told himself with more and more insistence that he would be heading towards RC16 Tech3 for 2020, instead of Syahrin who would return to Moto2 with the Ajo team.
Moto2 Assen J3: classification
