Brad Binder believes there is more to come from his KTM bike after the 2023 MotoGP season came to a close with the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
The South African finished second behind Jorge Martin in the sprint race on Saturday before clinching third in Sunday’s main race, a position he inherited due to Fabio Di Giannantonio’s penalty.
It took Binder’s total number of podiums in sprint and main races this season to 12, including sprint victories in Argentina and Spain which ultimately saw him finish fourth in the drivers’ championship behind world champion Francesco Bagnaia, Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
From hero ???? to zero ????
It could have been a 1-2 for @BradBinder_33 and @jackmilleraus, but things just didn’t go to plan for KTM yesterday ????
However, the South African was promoted to 3rd after @FabioDiggia49‘s penalty ⬆️#ValenciaGP ???? pic.twitter.com/QaolssAE8B
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) November 26, 2023
“A third place is a third place, even if we didn’t actually go to the podium!” Binder told the KTM website.
“I gave away a couple of podiums this year, so I know it’s not fun. Anyway, quite cool to finish in third after coming close. I took an un-needed long lap (penalty) but did well to save the crash because the front tire had been cooling down. A tricky day. I tried to fight my way back through but had no rear tire left at the end.
“We won two Sprints this year but it would have been good to sign off with a main victory. We just need a little bit more in this off-season to fight. Thanks to all my crew. We’ve made a big step this year and there’s more to come.”
KTM finished second in the constructors’ championship, 327 points behind champions Ducati and 47 points ahead of third-placed Aprilia.
