Brad Binder believes there is still more work ahead for KTM to do after he finished second in the Austrian MotoGP on at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday.
It was the home race for the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer and the South African rider spent the entire 28-lap race trying to pass championship leader Francesco Bagnaia who started from pole position. It was however difficult for Binder to catch the Italian and had to settle for second place having started the race in third.
It was back-to-back podium finishes for Binder after finishing third at the British MotoGP and his third podium of the season. It was also his second podium finish in Austria after winning the 2021 race for his second career race win in the premier class.
Our hero! @BradBinder_33 brings home 2nd at our HOME GRAND PRIX. ????????#KTM #ReadyToRace #AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/pzgk2bnHRC
— Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) August 20, 2023
“I knew from yesterday that we were looking for drive grip but I did everything I could; protect where I could and push where I could on the brakes,” Binder said on the KTM website.
“I tried to keep him [Bagnaia] honest in the first half of the race but there was a moment where the rear grip just said ‘goodbye…’ and I knew I had to be clever and just bring the bike home.
“The team made another huge step from yesterday to today and I could brake so much later and so much harder. We still have a bit of work to do but I cannot thank them enough. It is awesome to be on the podium twice here in Austria and at their home Grand Prix.”
Binder remains in fourth place in the championship standings and is 86 points behind leader Bagnaia. The next round of racing takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Catalan Grand Prix.
