Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing was a man on a mission during Sunday’s MotoGP race in Japan.
The South African started third, behind Honda’s Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco (Ducati). Only Binder finished on the podium out of the three front-row starters, with Marquez fourth and Zarco 11th.
The Japanese Grand Prix was the 16th round of the 2022 championship, and the Motegi circuit became the second venue of the year where Binder could equal his season best result.
That’s exactly what he did, charging to the front after the lights went out and taking the lead after Turn 1. Unfortunately for Binder, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was too quick and passed the South African to take over the lead.
Binder spent the rest of the race fending off challenges from the riders around him, but he managed to finish second with a brilliant overtake on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) through Turn 1 on the final lap.
“I’m overjoyed to be back on the podium today.” “I pushed as hard as I could from the start,” Binder said.
“I had a few moments with the hard rear tyre, and it took me a while to regain confidence, but in the end, we made a good choice because I became more comfortable and could better locate my braking markers.”
“It was extremely difficult to pass Jorge, but I arrived at that point on the final lap just in time in Turn 1.”
Binder is currently sixth in the 2022 MotoGP standings with 148 points. He is the top-ranked KTM rider.
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