The penultimate round of a long MotoGP season and a relentless second phase of the campaign saw Brad Binder take his KTM RC16 to 5th position through the Qatari night air and at a glistening Lusail International Circuit. The South African pushed to the limit to rise as high as 3rd and then had to nurse his front tire to the top five.

The immense lighting system, the remodeled infrastructure and presentation, the fast, flowing and challenging 5.4km, 16-corner layout, the desert setting and nighttime spectacle: very few events have the look, feel and character of the Qatar Grand Prix. Red Bull KTM already had a taste of the unique grip but high abrasion demands of the Lusail tarmac on Saturday but the 22 laps of the full Grand Prix on Sunday was another task.

Brad and teammate Jack Miller set off from 10th and 15th places on the grid and hopeful of mods for optimum performance throughout the 22-laps. It was Brad who was unsurprisingly higher up the order in the opening exchanges and he then pushed and probed his way into 3rd and then valiantly tried to hold the slot as his front tire grip began to fade. He ended the race 5th and less than three seconds from the third step of the podium.

When the checkered flag waved, and fantastic LED displays started to flicker Binder’s 11 points further hammered home his 4th place for 2023. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are likely to confirm 4th in the Teams standings while KTM hold 2nd in the Constructors contest.

The Circuito de Ricardo Tormo brings the 2023 season to a conclusion where KTM’s MotoGP adventure began with a wildcard appearance in 2016, where they celebrated their maiden podium in 2018 and where Binder achieved runner-up distinction in 2022. Valencia is once more the scene for the final Grand Prix of the year and the latest ever finale to the world championship. Round twenty takes place next weekend.

Brad Binder

“Today was actually really good. To walk away with a 5th and to fight for the podium was very positive. My rear tire was perfect but my front tire gave-up after about twelve laps in, from there I was just trying to survive. Probably one of the hardest races I had in terms of dealing with the limit. I just wanted to bring it home in a solid 5th. My team did a great job to get us in this position today because the weekend was much more tricky than we anticipated.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

The penultimate round of 2023 MotoGP visited the unique and freshly modernized environment of the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar and a previously happy hunting ground for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Brad Binder again marked the reference for speed and competitiveness with the RC16 by fighting for a top five position and taking 7th.

Lusail is a very different looking race circuit, thanks to comprehensive upgrades made to the paddock and general facilities. The light-bathed and resurfaced flat course remained the same however for the penultimate qualification and Sprint race of the year. The track held special memories for the launch of the company’s MotoGP program in 2017 and also for Brad’s superb podium finish in 2022.

For what is now a regular occurrence, the Red Bull KTM pair were strong and competitive from the first laps. Practice and qualification took place in late afternoon temperatures, light and conditions, while PR (for the crucial classification session for qualifying) and the Sprint happened under the glare of Lusail lightbulbs and in cooler and more moist air. The range of grip and traction was significant for setup and the RC16 and the crew tried their best for optimization. Brad ranked 4th through the Friday evening air and on Saturday afternoon secured 11th after Q2.

The MotoGP Sprint offered valuable data and timing for the main 22 lap distance on Sunday. The shorter spectacle involved 11 frantic circulations and saw Brad having to make some strong moves to roam within the large group seeking a top five classification. His 7th place was less than six seconds from the winner and just three seconds from the podium.

Brad Binder

“This whole weekend has been a bit tricky and I felt like I hit a bit of a wall in terms of struggling to improve and get a better feeling with the front. I felt great in the first three-four laps of the Sprint and thought ‘I can do something here today…’ but then as soon as the grip level dropped I ran into trouble. Difficult, but it was great we could learn what we could today and to see what we can fix to go again tomorrow.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

South African racing royalty, Brad Binder, known for his exceptional skills on the track, is set to face a new and formidable challenge as he prepares to tackle the Roof of Africa Hard Enduro event in Lesotho. This marks Binder’s inaugural participation in the demanding event, showcasing his versatility as a rider and athlete.

With only two hours of prior enduro riding experience under his belt, Binder enters the Roof of Africa with a humble approach, emphasizing his determination to take on this challenging discipline of racing. Despite having no set expectations, Binder is eager to fulfill a long-standing dream of conquering the Roof of Africa, an event renowned for its unforgiving terrain and grueling conditions.

Binder’s busy racing calendar has finally aligned to allow him to pursue this dream, and he eagerly anticipates the unique experience that the Roof of Africa promises. The event, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lesotho’s Maluti mountains will test Binder’s skills, endurance, and adaptability as he navigates through some of the toughest terrains and harshest riding conditions in the world of Hard Enduro.

“I’ve always had this dream of challenging myself at the Roof of Africa, and now the timing feels right. It’s a completely different world compared to MotoGP, and I have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to take on the challenge and tick the event off my bucket list,” said Binder.
The decision to participate in the Roof of Africa reflects Binder’s adventurous spirit and his commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of motorcycling. Despite being a top MotoGP contender, Binder is no stranger to embracing new challenges, and this venture into Hard Enduro demonstrates his passion for the sport in all its forms.

KTM South Africa is excited to field Binder on a 2024 KTM 300 XC-W in the 2024 Bronze class alongside brother, Darryn Binder as they throw themselves into the deep end of Hard Enduro riding. KTM group Marketing manager Grant Frerichs commented, “We have been speaking about Brad participating in the Roof for a few years now and this year his racing calendar ends the week before. Brad unfortunately has some testing commitments early in the week of the Roof but we will do everything in our power to have him on the start line of Around the Houses. Darryn will join Brad and they will tackle The Mother Of Hard Enduro together.”

Follow Brad Binder’s journey at the Roof of Africa Hard Enduro through KTM South Africa’s social media channels and stay tuned for updates on this thrilling chapter in his racing career.

Published by: Grant Frerichs

“When I rode you could see my smile, from ear to ear, through my helmet!” is a fond memory
Cayden Robert (15) of Olivedale has of taking to the track on a motorbike at a very young age. He says he was “practically born” on the racetrack thanks to a grandad and dad who were truly motorsport mad.

Now with nine years of racing under his belt, Cayden is determined to make his mark on both the local and international circuits and even recently took a shot at being selected for the 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, in Guadix, Spain.

Although he wasn’t selected, Cayden took advantage of the experience and is determined – now more than ever – that he is home to win the SA Short Circuit 150 Championship, in which he is the lead.

Along with this, comes many hours of preparation for his first season of the MRSSA Racing Championship on a Kawasaki ZX400.

“I have ridden the ZX400 a few times and really loved the speed of the bike, but I definitely have to learn more about this machine. It’s a lot more powerful than the 150 I ride at the moment,” he said.

“I’m confident though. I’ve definitely surprised myself with what I’ve achieved this year and hope there are only greater things to come.

“Being in Spain and seeing how fast all the other riders were was initially intimidating, but once I got into my zone and cleared my mind I stopped thinking about it and was able to give it my best. Seeing Kgopotso ‘KJ’ Mononyane make it in Spain was a huge thing for us South Africans. It shows we can do it and we have the talent.”

Motorsport SA CEO Adrian Scholtz agrees.

“When it comes to sporting talent, South Africa has a wealth of up-and-coming youngsters who are starting to make waves locally and abroad. Motorsport is definitely an area where these young men and women and starting to make their mark,” he says.

Scholtz adds that MSA prides itself of maintaining a safe environment in which youngsters like Cayden can thrive and reach their full potential to one day, like the Springboks, fly SA’s flag high.
“Participants’ safety and welfare is a key pillar of MSA’s strategy to inspire and enable more people to participate in a safe, fair, fun, inclusive and progressive environment. MSA’s safeguarding policy has been created to protect the interests of all involved in South African motorsport, but particularly those of children and vulnerable adults,” he explains.
Cayden has been working under the guidance of team lead Clint Seller, the nine-time SA superbike champion.

“Having Clint as our King Price Xtreme team lead and mentor is nothing short of amazing. He is so knowledgeable and experienced and I definitely feel I have an advantage with him in my corner,” says Cayden.

“It’s also important to have the fans and spectators in your corner; it can change the whole vibe of race day. A large, enthusiastic crowd is obviously also welcomed by the sponsors.”

While this teen works on his dream of racing professionally, he is still a high school learner. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but Cayden says his school, Randburg High, has been supportive in helping him to meet his racing commitments.

“I balance everything by having a schedule and plan for each day. When the race calendar comes out at the beginning of the season, we put all the events into a calendar and start planning for the year ahead as a family.”

His local heroes on the track are the Binder brothers, not only because Cayden grew up watching them but because of what they have done for South African motorsport.

“In the next two years, I’d like to step up to long-circuit racing on a 400 and make some appearances overseas. Ultimately, I hope to make it to MotoGP or race overseas. Whatever happens, I just want to race motorbikes for a living, full stop!” Cayden says.

His advice to aspiring young riders is to be humble, hardworking and mentally strong “because this is a very tough sport with extreme highs and lows”.

Find out everything there is to know about the fast-paced world of South African motorsport on the Motorsport SA website – www.motorsport.co.za.

Compiled on behalf of MSA by Cathy Findley PR

The Sepang International Circuit brought some staple ingredients to the annual hosting of MotoGP in Malaysia and the site 50km south of the center of Kuala Lumpur: stuffy 30+ degree temperatures, a fascinating and tricky 5.5km racetrack, a large and expectant crowd, and teams with knowledge and references from the pre-season test at the same venue but also trying to solve the tire consumption headache for maximum performance.

The Grand Prix took place over 20 laps and with Red Bull KTM looking to see if the 5th and 6th positions aced in the Saturday Sprint by Brad Binder and Jack Miller respectively could be repeated or improved. Both riders launched from the third and fourth rows of the grid and into leading group contention as the field set about establishing an effective race rhythm.

It was a static affair dictated by effective grip. Brad and Miller were wrapped up in a multi-rider battle for 5th but sadly Brad did not reach mid-race distance when he crashed into Turn 11.

Brad has almost confirmed 4th position in the world championship standings for 2023. He is 75 points from 3rd and 54 ahead of 5th with just 74 left to win this season. After two years of consecutive 6th place finishes #33 is heading to a PB in his fourth MotoGP term.

The many lights and the impressive setting of the Lusail International Circuit will be switched on for MotoGP next week. The Grand Prix of Qatar takes place at the end of the season compared to the normal opening slot (due to circuit renovations) and MotoGP should find an upscaled but nevertheless challenging Doha-based layout (where Binder was runner-up in 2022) for round nineteen of twenty in a few days.

Brad Binder, DNF:

“I had a good warm-up session and felt really good but then just struggled in the race. It was hard to stop the bike and if I carried any corner speed then the front end would wash. It was a fight to stay clean and to try and pick guys off. Unfortunately, I just washed-out in Turn 11 and there is not much more to say. We tried a few different things for the race today and with the heat and the grip level they didn’t really work. Lessons learned for Qatar and moving forward.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com