Brad Binder approaches this Australian Grand Prix with great ambitions, riding a KTM which has stood out favorably during the last two Grands Prix in an overseas campaign which includes four. Second in Japan, the South African saw his companion Miguel Oliveira triumph in Thailand and it reminded him that, since 2020, he has always won at least one race in the season in MotoGP. So, why not this weekend on a Phillip Island track that he will only discover riding a MotoGP?
Brad Binder continues to have a good season. Sixth in the championship with three races remaining, he notably has two podiums which are as many second places in the Qatar and Japan. The race in Thailand went modestly with a top 10 while his teammate Miguel Oliveira won the event. A difference which he does not take umbrage with: “ in the last race in Thailand, Miguel destroyed everyone. It was a great job! The last three Grands Prix have certainly been fantastic for KTM. Now we need to put what we've learned back on track and keep the momentum going », rather emphasizes the eldest of the Binder which thus specifies this notion of momentum: “ in Aragón, I just missed the podium. Japan was good too ».
And Australia? The pilot of 27 years first recalls this: “ I will be going on the track for the first time with a MotoGP. But it's a track that I've loved over the years and have always done well at. I hope this doesn't change in the MotoGP category. I guess I'll have a lot more fun with the big bike. This circuit is quite fast, but at the same time attractive and demanding. I will try to find my braking points in Friday's free practice as quickly as possible, then attack early. I hope for some dry weather. It would be nice if we could get some good quality track time ».
Brad Binder: “ I still have three chances to win »
The 3 Moto2016 World Champion adds: “ As we haven't been here since 2019 and our bike has changed a lot since then, I can't make any precise predictions about our competitiveness. But one of our strengths is that we do well in the fast and flowing sections. So I expect Phillip Island to be a good track for us ».
Unlike most of his colleagues, Brad Binder did not return home from Thailand. He went to Australia to prepare well and get used to the time zone. And it is also a sign of great ambition for this end of the campaign: “ I don't even remember the last time I went a season without a win. It's been a while », he confesses on speedweek. " This year I'm still missing one. But I still have three chances to change that ».
