Miguel Oliveira achieved the feat of winning two victories in 2022 on the RC16, but at KTM, when we look at the accounting of the points collected which delivers the true final ranking, we can only recognize that the true value added this year was Brad Binder. The South African is a real joy for a boss and this quality is all the more exacerbated as it is expressed in the very demanding KTM environment where compliments are not given for free. Precisely, Darryn's older brother, who will be in Moto2 next year, is drowning under these, notably formulated by Pit Beirer. All this bodes well for a year 2023 that Dani Pedrosa is already looking forward to living with the same Binder and here's why...
Brad Binder obtained an honorable sixth place at the World Championship of MotoGP this season. Although he did not win any victories, he affirmed his consistency and won three second places, including the last in Valencia which is of great interest to the pit test. Dani Pedrosa. The South African has also only missed the top 10 three times. He only missed the bridges on one occasion: Portimao.
It is therefore not for nothing in this final result which establishes the Red Bull KTM team as vice-champion in the classification dedicated to teams. A performance which made the former Moto3 World Champion say, still under the banner KTM : " When I heard that we were vice-world champions in the team rankings, I initially thought it was a mistake. But it's amazing that we achieved this success ».
Pit Beirer: “we have to consider Brad Binder as the absolute highlight"
Brad Binder, in addition to being a pure product KTM as particularly talented is also a driver always driven by a good state of mind. A synthesis which goes so far as to delight the strict bosses of Mattighofen, starting with the sports director Pete Beirer : " we have to call Brad Binder the absolute highlight because we had a tough year and Brad was someone who dealt with it ruthlessly. Even though it was difficult, especially with our weakness in qualifying, Brad was always the one to say, 'Don't worry boss, I'll fix it tomorrow.' ».
He adds : " he kept saying we were going to do it. He has always had the pace of the race, and his strength at the start is that he can overtake. So he helped us through the tough times ". A situation that delights Dani Pedrosa which is already looking ahead to 2023 after the experience of a Valencia Grand Prix where Brad Binder had a KTM a little special… “ In this last race, in particular, we changed an important part of the bike. He enjoyed it and was able to do the race he did. It was very rhythmic and very comfortable, so we are happy ».
