KTM rider Brad Binder admits: “I’d have liked to have had far fewer tough days”

Brad Binder struggled to find the pace at the MotoGP event in Misano – in contrast to his team-mate Pedro Acosta, who raced onto the podium on Sunday on the RC16. Binder finished eleventh in the Grand Prix and was anything but satisfied with his performance.

This weekend sees KTM’s crucial home Grand Prix. And Binder will be contesting the final MotoGP weekend at the Red Bull Ring for his long-standing employer. On the Thursday before the event in Spielberg, the South African was brimming with motivation. “After Misano, I’m trying to make a fresh start. For me, it was a disastrous weekend. Right from the first session, I couldn’t find my rhythm there. The track in Austria suits my riding style much better. Our bike performs very well here. My aim is to be competitive right from the first session,” said Binder.

Brad Binder has struggled considerably over the past two years. He has slipped from being a top-five contender to the mid-pack. His team-mate Pedro Acosta has outshone him. There will be no place for Binder in MotoGP in 2027 – he will be moving to BMW in the World Superbike Championship. Can he pinpoint a moment when he no longer felt as in tune with the RC16 as he had in the past? “To be honest, the last two seasons have been a struggle,” emphasised the South African. “If I knew what the problem was, I’d sort it out straight away. I’d have liked to have had far fewer tough days over the last two years, but that wasn’t the case. My plan here is to be as competitive as possible right from the start. For example, in qualifying I want to do the same as always, just faster.”

Binder: “I wouldn’t say it’s clicked, but things are getting better”

When Binder said that, he couldn’t help but smile. It sounds simple and plausible; he just needs to put it into practice this weekend. “The bike definitely felt better at the last few events. Of course, Misano was certainly worse than the other Grands Prix; it was harder for me there,” explained the 31-year-old. “I wouldn’t say it’s all clicked into place, but things are getting better – even if the results haven’t shown it yet. I just need to pull everything together. I’ve got the feeling that if I can get off to a good start this weekend, find my pace and have a good qualifying session, then things will look completely different. If I could be further up the grid, that would be a game-changer for me!”

Rain on Sunday would also be a game-changer. Then Brad Binder would have the chance to repeat his spectacular ride from 2021, when he slid to victory on slicks on a wet track at Spielberg. At Thursday’s ‘MopedGP’, he had a fun session in the rain – on a 50cc moped. However, the sun is expected to be shining on Sunday.

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18.09.2026 - 08:55