Moto3 Jerez 1 D3: Great comeback from Darryn Binder at the Spanish GP, Maximilian Kofler confirms his progress (CP)

More than four months after the opening meeting of the 2020 season at Losail, it was in the south of Spain on the Jerez circuit that the Moto3 riders met for the Spanish Grand Prix. 

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 calendar has been revised and two events on the Andalusian route are now on the program. For this recovery, the two representatives of the CIP-GREEN POWER team were ready to do battle.

Ranked seventh in Q1, Darryn Binder missed Q2 by just under half a second. From 21st place on the starting grid, the South African made a superb takeoff and was already in 14th place on the first lap. Author of the second best time in the race, one tenth of the reference, Darryn Binder made his way through the peloton to first position. Fighting for victory, he unfortunately made a mistake two laps from the checkered flag.

For his part, Maximilian Kofler continues his learning of the category. The Austrian made progress throughout the weekend and, although he was hampered by a fall at the first corner, he managed to close his gap on the group in front of him before taking control. A performance that was enough to delight him for next week.

The two drivers of the CIP-GREEN POWER team will once again take to the track at the Jerez circuit on Friday for, this time, the Andalusian Grand Prix.

Darryn Binder (18th) : “We are finally resuming the race after this long interruption and everything that happened. It was a very difficult weekend for me. I encountered a lot of problems during practice and Q1. Unfortunately, I only qualified in 21st position. In the race, I managed to climb to second place. I fought for the podium. I felt really good and then two laps from the finish, I tried to overtake Arenas, I lost the rear and I crashed. We can start from scratch on Friday and work even harder to try to qualify well and have a good race on Sunday. »

Maximilian Kofler (20th) : “My feeling after this weekend is very good, especially after FP3. I managed to set a very good time close to the front, only 1.1 seconds behind. Qualifying wasn't as good. I had some problems at the start and finished 26th like in Qatar. I had a very good start. I came very hard into the first corner, I overtook some of my opponents, but two riders crashed and I had to go straight. Last, I had to catch up with the group in front of me and I managed to finish 20th. I'm very happy with this race, because we were quite fast despite the conditions. We must continue the work from next week. »

Alain Bronec (Team Owner) : “It was a fantastic race for Darryn. He started from 21st place and quickly moved up in the group to take the lead. Unfortunately, two laps from the finish, he made a mistake. He did an excellent job, notably setting the second fastest time in the race, but we need to find solutions to better position ourselves on the grid. Once this is possible, Darryn will be able to study his opponents and aim for victory. As for Maximilian, he set a good time on Saturday morning, but qualifying was a little more complicated. He went off the track due to the fall at the first turn. He therefore had to redouble his efforts to catch up. He managed to rejoin the group and finished at the top of it. He had a very good race and we saw his progress every day of the weekend. »