As soon as he started driving in this Portuguese Grand Prix on Friday, Brad Binder wondered how he was going to drive his RC16 on the grueling Portimao track. Two weeks earlier, during tests, he had fallen there but his injury did not become apparent until much later. However, the South African is tough. With himself and on the track in the peloton. He therefore went the distance until a heroic Sunday when he finished sixth after a comeback of which he had the secret despite his condition. The kind of feat where you obviously don't just make friends...
And we'll start there, with the discontent of a Aleix Espargaró who was jostled by the KTM knocked down from 33 in the first laps: “ I had a good start, then Binder hit me hard in turn 3 and I was far behind. I don't understand why he wasn't punished. It seems like past mistakes are repeating themselves ". It must be said that the official KTM was in a hurry: after seven of the 25 laps, he was already in 6th place... Behind Bagnaia, Vinales, Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez et Miller.
The official Aprilia added : " overtaking is part of the race, I couldn't do that on Sunday. In addition, the new format is mentally very tough. Congratulations to Miller and Binder: their bike is not up to mine but they beat me ».
We had the version Miller of this Portuguese Grand Prix, and here is now the presentation Brad Binder from this weekend in the Algarve: “ This whole weekend was incredibly difficult for me “, begins the South African. “ On Friday morning, I could barely fly. This is why I can live with this result. I would like to thank all the physiotherapists who got me back on my feet and my team who gave me such a good bike for Sunday. I think we have taken a good step forward. I'm flying to Argentina with a much more positive feeling now ».
Brad Binder: “ after Friday's P1, I doubted I would still be able to drive in the other sessions«
Brad Binder was in a group where we did not spare each other zarco, Alex Marquez, Miller et Quarterly. " I caught up with this group, but overtaking was very difficult afterwards. Once there, I couldn't do much. For a second, I thought I had fourth place in my pocket. But I'm not complaining, because after Friday's P1, I doubted whether I would still be able to drive in the other sessions.
He adds : " It was difficult to fight with these guys. I did my best, but I suffered in the last five laps. It wasn't pleasant, but we got through it and scored some good points. Now four more days to rest ". On the subject of his condition he mentions: “ My condition is improving day by day. Thanks to the active support of doctors and physiotherapists, I was able to continue the Grand Prix.”
« It was fantastic. During the sprint race on Saturday, I had a great time. But my team gave me a better bike on Sunday that I felt much, much more comfortable on. Everything was much easier for me during the morning warm-up ". And he ends: “ I'm sure I'll be much better off in South America than in Portugal ». This is promising. See you this weekend to discover what a Brad Binder in better shape.
MotoGP Portugal Portimao Race: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
