If you’ve missed yesterday’s MotoGP round in the Czech Republic, it was one hell of a race as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) delivers KTM’s first-ever win in MotoGP. In his rookie season (and only his third race), Binder also set the record for the first South African rider to win a premier class race.
It was an amazing effort from the rookie who showed a performance that can only be compared to a rider who has raced many seasons in MotoGP. It was also a sign that the KTM RC16 MotoGP project is well on its way to dominating one of the highest classes of motorcycle racing. They’ve said that it’ll take them a few years and they’ve finally arrived to battle for podium contention.
According to Binder himself, “Today was the most incredible day of my life so far. It’s that day I’ve dreamt of as a child and gosh, for it to come true in my third Grand Prix is scary. I can’t believe it. Since the day I started in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, it’s been a consistent grind to get here. And you know, I came through all the classes with Red Bull KTM and here we are on top and we finally won in MotoGP.”
Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) also scored his first-ever MotoGP podium finish in P2 after leading the majority of the race at Brno. Facing tyre degradation issues towards the end of the race, the Italian rider managed to compose himself and ride his way to the chequered flag in second place.
As for pole position rider, Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing), he managed to salvage the final podium position in P3 as well as being the top Ducati rider to finish in the Czech GP round. It would’ve been a better result for the Frenchman but a collision with Red Bull KTM’s Pol Espargaro saw him getting a long-lap penalty for ‘irresponsible riding’.
