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Brad Binder details KTM issue at the Italian Grand Prix that was ‘absolutely impossible’ to deal with

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Brad Binder finally managed to muster a top 10 finish after a miserable run of MotoGP form but still wasn’t satisfied with his result after the Italian Grand Prix.

KTM’s bike has failed to match the level of performance it produced last year, leaving its riders desperate for improvements.

Binder is currently on course to endure his worst-ever season at the premier class level, and is 13th in the riders’ standings.

New teammate Pedro Acosta has been quicker and more consistent across the opening nine races of the MotoGP campaign.

It hasn’t been easy for the South African, and Neil Hodgson feels ‘sorry’ for Binder after starting to make some rare mistakes.

Binder has privately said he ‘doesn’t know’ why he has struggled to adapt to his KTM bike this season, but he hasn’t had much luck either.

READ MORE: KTM crew chief says Brad Binder is doing something he’s ‘never’ seen from a MotoGP rider

Brad Binder during Free Practice at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images

Brad Binder faced one ‘impossible’ KTM issue at the Italian Grand Prix

It has now been nearly a year and a half since Binder’s last podium, which came in the season-opener at Qatar in 2024.

Since then, Binder has lost ‘confidence’ at KTM and doesn’t appear to be the same rider that he was before. His consistent edge has faded.

But it’s not necessarily his own fault. There has been little effective development, and the Austrian manufacturer’s rivals have been better. Speaking after the race in Mugello, Binder was harsh in his assessment of his bike.

“It was a really long race. I expected a lot more from myself. But I had no grip at the front or the rear,” he told SPEEDWEEK.

“I had problems with the front brake in particular. I had to brake very gently and control the throttle extremely carefully to avoid the risk of crashing. Pushing was absolutely impossible.”

READ MORE: Brad Binder explains what he must now do to ‘make the leap’ to catch KTM teammate Maverick Vinales

Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder are ‘demanding’ one thing from KTM after factory visit

KTM currently sit third in the constructors’ championship, but their fastest rider this season has been Maverick Vinales on the satellite Tech3 bike.

Acosta graduated from their ranks with the assumption that a factory ride would be an improvement, but they haven’t been able to fine-tune their bike well enough yet.

After a factory visit, Acosta and Binder are ‘demanding’ one thing from KTM, and want to see more parts arriving to their bike in the future.

They have stressed the importance of the team digging deep and finding a way to make their bike faster, otherwise, they’re resigned to not competing for silverware.