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- Brad Binder finished the 2023 Austrian MotoGP in second place.
- The South African challenged for the race's lead, but poor grip forced him to settle for his finishing position.
- Binder recently re-signed with the Red Bull KTM team.
South African MotoGP ace Brad Binder (28) had an absolute stellar weekend of racing in Austria.
Lining up in second place for his Red Bull KTM team's home race, the boytjie from Potchefstroom launched off the line beautifully to slot in behind pole-sitter and eventual winner Francesco Bagnaia.
For half of the 28-lap race, Binder kept within touching distance of the 2023 championship leader, but declining grip on his RC16's rear tyre saw him settling into securing second place.
READ | KTM fulfils 'big priority' of signing SA's Brad Binder to new long-term MotoGP deal
"I knew from (Saturday) 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 reflected after the race.
"I tried to keep (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."
Binder is fourth in the 2023 MotoGP standings on 160 points. Australian teammate Jack Miller is eighth with 96 points.
Closing the gap
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is currently fourth in the Teams' championship, with KTM the second-best manufacturer after Ducati (Bagnaia's bosses). Having entered the top echelon of two-wheel racing in 2017, it is a major feat for a brand associated with racing to be in such a strong position after a handful of years.
Incidentally, Red Bull KTM's first MotoGP win came at Binder's hands in 2020, with another following in 2021. But with 2022 being winless and 2023 (finally) conjuring several Sprint victories, Binder and KTM are poised for at least one win on a Sunday in one of the nine remaining races this year.
READ | SA's Brad Binder finishes 2nd at Austrian MotoGP: 'I did everything I could'
Binder praised his team for their progress, acknowledging there is work to be done before really challenging for wins.
"The team made another huge step from (Saturday to Sunday), and I could brake so much later and so much harder (in the race). 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."
Francesco Guidotti, Red Bull KTM's team manager, echoed Binder's sentiments: "At the moment, we are not able to catch the world champion who is in his best form, but Brad fought like a lion, as usual.
"Second place was hard-won because the conditions were tough, but he managed the race so well. Another brick in building our future."
Binder recently re-signed with Red Bull KTM, tying him to the team until the end of the 2026 season.
