At KTM in general and perhaps at Brad Binder in particular, we are far from the expectations and objectives hoped for in a 2021 MotoGP season which follows an excellent 2020 campaign. The return to the back of the peloton since the advent of the new Michelin allocation is not really well lived. The official drivers are suffering and struggling to get out of this technical crisis. The South African even sets himself an ambitious goal: to return to the podium by the summer break at the latest. Which leaves him with only four Grands Prix: this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, then Barcelona, Germany and Assen...
This is not exactly the situation we were hoping to have at KTM after five Grands Prix, but you have to deal with it. A frustration that begins with Miguel Oliveira, only 20th in the championship with nine points scored. The double winner in RC16 during the last season, however, swears: “ I find that the results obtained so far do not show our true capabilities. It's frustrating not to finish the race and therefore not to be able to show what we are capable of ».
He adds : " we have to concentrate on Mugello and put an end to this bad series. We will not change the approach. I don't know what to change either and everyone on the team is doing what they can. I also don't feel pressure to give up. But of course, I hope we can get back to the sense of walking as soon as possible ».
Brad Binder: “ times are not easy »
Brad Binder, his teammate, assesses the situation as follows: “ times are not easy. But I understand much better in which areas we need to intervene. When we change something on the bike I can feel it, I also find what we need to tackle in many cases to improve. Last year we had a better basic configuration, now we need to make additional adjustments ».
The South African also praises the team for their commitment: “ everyone tries everything to make it go in the right direction ". The winner of Brno 2020 even explains where the problem is: “ it's just before releasing the brakes and accelerating again, we need a little more support from the bike in the corners. I believe we have already found something during the test in Jerez that will help us and that is why I am convinced that we are on the right track ».
The former World Champion Moto3 ends by putting pressure on himself: “ I want to be back on the podium by the summer break at the latest. I think it is within reach and, of course, I would prefer that we take this crucial step as soon as possible ».
