Brad Binder is the rider who entered the great history of the KTM brand during his lifetime. Forever, the South African will be the one who brought the first Grand Prix success to the Austrian manufacturer in the major category that is MotoGP. The first consecration of an adventure that began four years ago. First? Indeed. The next one is definitely the world title and to listen to the one who will only begin his second season in the discipline, it could arrive quite quickly...
It is with great ambitions, also legitimized by a more than encouraging final season, that KTM presented her troops in preparation for a 2021 campaign where she will want to reassure that 2020 was not an accident. The brand gave its colors to the partner Tech3 which, as a result, looks more official than its factory stable still supported by the drink that gives you wings. But this is where Mattighofen's men's best chances lie. With in particular a pair of drivers from his sector and between them the three successes scored in the RC16 record.
This year, in fact, Brad Binder reunites with an old traveling companion with whom he shared the box space in Moto3 and Moto2. It is Miguel Oliveira, born, like him, in 1995. “ Miguel and I were teammates for several years and got along well » rejoices the former Moto3 World Champion. “ It was great to have this guy in the box next to me. I think it will be pretty similar this season. He's always been a good competitor, he's always super fast. I think we're going to really push each other and I'm confident we can both do a really good job. ».
Brad Binder continues, speaking of himself: “ I'm starting my second season and I want to do much better than last year. At the same time, we really need to take things one step at a time, one weekend at a time. If I try my best, I'm sure I can achieve solid results ».
2020 was his first experience this in MotoGP, marked by success from the third Grand Prix at Brno. But there were also less pleasant moments. Brad Binder therefore looked at its journey to better detect the margins of progress for the future: “ the main thing for me during this offseason was to try to understand what I learned last season and where my weaknesses were. Especially since in 2020, with all these races back to back, you never really had the time to sit down and understand exactly what was going on. I've had it for a few months now and I know what I need to improve. It would be great if I could sit a little more on the bike and make a lot fewer mistakes, that's for sure ».
Brad Binder: “we are going to test and try a lot of things in Qatar”
He specifies : " I need a little more confidence, I can't worry too much and I just believe that the work I can do is enough to have a good season and make improvements ". Exactly, how does he see this 2021 season? “ I'm not sure yet exactly what updates we'll have on the bike, to be honest. I know we will test and try a lot of things in Qatar. But as far as I know the base is pretty much the same as last year ».
« Overall, I think we definitely have a little advantage because we can still play a little » he specifies, recalling the latest adjustments to the regulations including KTM was able to benefit. “ I know the guys at the factory worked hard, as they always do. I'm sure our package is a little stronger than last year. We took such a big step last year that every little improvement can go a long way ».
At the end of last season, the big boss of the brand Stefan pierer had talked about winning the title in 2021. What do you think? Brad Binder ? Can KTM already aim that high? “ I think so » says the South African bluntly. “ We have an extremely competitive package. Last season we showed how strong we are and I think we will improve further this season. So yes, I think we definitely have what it takes to fight for the world title. And I'm really looking forward to starting the season, but we're going to take everything step by step, race by race » concludes the older brother of a Darryn who competes in Moto3.
