Brad Binder is glad that reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia is in good condition after the horrific crash at the Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday.
A first lap incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya saw a multi-rider pile-up before Bagnaia’s bike violently wobbled which landed the Italian in front of oncoming traffic, and had his legs struck by Binder’s KTM bike.
Bagnaia luckily suffered no serious injuries with medical checks showing contusions and no fractures.
Binder restarted the race but retired after mechanical failure and headed over to the medical centre to check on Bagnaia, describing the crash as a rider’s worst nightmare.
“Crazy last couple of hours,” the South African said.
“I got a really good launch in the race, and I was between Maverick [Vinales] and Miguel [Oliveira] going through Turn one and two.
“On the exit of turn two, I didn’t see a thing. Until I saw Pecco [Bagnaia] and his bike in the middle of the track.
“Then I clipped something on his bike. I was shaking trying to miss him, then I clipped his leg, or something.
“Yeah, I don’t really know. I ended up falling.
“Thank goodness I saw him moving. He’s obviously hurt but seems fine.
“It’s really… the trickiest part is to get back on, and carry on. The good thing was that I saw him move. He was moving.
“It’s every rider’s worst nightmare. To see someone there is scary but to be the one who hits them is even more shit, to be honest.”
Aleix Espargaro won the Catalunya MotoGP with his Aprilia teammate Vinales securing the Italian manufacturer’s first-ever MotoGP 1-2 while Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin completed the podium.
