KTM rider Brad Binder has called his clash with Maverick Vinales on the first lap of the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix that led to him crashing a “100% racing incident”.
The South African won the sprint race at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on Saturday in sensational fashion after starting 15th on the grid.
He however did not have such luck on Sunday’s main race where he was hit slightly by Vinales’ Aprilia under braking as the latter tried to make an overtake which led to Binder crashing.
The 27-year-old was able to re-join but finished last of the 17 runners, while the racing stewards decided the collision was a racing incident which Binder agrees with. He also holds no grudge against Vinales for the crash, citing he had damage to his bike before the crash.
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“I had a touch with somebody coming out of Turn 3 and I lost two of my wings,” Binder said.
“I had quite a big shake, and then got to the next corner I pulled my front brake and pulled it into my fingers, so I pumped it a little bit.
“Luckily, I realised I was probably not going to have it, so I braked a bit earlier and went into the corner and I felt the slightest little nudge on my inside and it was just enough to spin the bike out.
“Honestly, it was such a small touch. It’s 100% a racing incident. When the track is wet, the tiniest little shake can do anything. So, it just spun around on me and that was it.”
Binder sits eighth in the MotoGP riders’ championship with 22 points after two races, 28 points behind leader and Argentina GP winner Marco Bezzecchi, while his team KTM sit second in the constructors’ standings on 38 points, 33 points behind early leaders Ducati.
The next round of racing is at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next Sunday.
