Brad Binder’s ‘unbelievable’ move had KTM watching through the ‘cracks of their fingers’ in Catalan Sprint

Add as preferred source on Google

Brad Binder took the chequered flag in sixth place at the Catalan Grand Prix Sprint, narrowly missing out on fellow KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Enea Bastianini in a photo finish.

It was another fine performance from the South African rider, who is starting to find his feet atop KTM’s current bike that forced him to slightly adjust his riding style.

Binder set the pace during Friday’s pre-qualifying sessions, realising Marc Marquez and Ducati’s worst fears about the rest of the grid catching up to their currently dominant bike.

The performance also comes after Neil Hodgson rejoiced over seeing the ‘classic’ Binder during the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race in August.

READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

Neil Hodgson was in awe of Brad Binder’s ‘unbelievable’ move on Pedro Acosta in Catalan Grand Prix Sprint

The KTM trio of Acosta, Bastianini and Binder were neck and neck for the majority of the race, with the experienced South African rider pulling out a nice move on his younger teammate at turn four on the eighth lap of the race.

Speaking on TNT Sports’ coverage of the Sprint in Barcelona, commentators Neil Hodgson and Gavin Emmett couldn’t believe their eyes when Binder performed a switch-back move on Acosta as he attempted an overtake on the inside.

“How did he hold on to that, Brad Binder?” Emmett asked in disbelief.

Hodgson replied, “Easily because the back wheel was that far out of the line,” before backtracking on his comment by adding, “I say it easily, but I shouldn’t have said that. With unbelievable skill is the truth.”

Coverage then cut to the reactions of the KTM garage, observed by Emmett, “Three KTMs that you could chuck a handkerchief over at the moment. Oh, I don’t want to watch it.

“You can see there, Gottfried Neumeister and Pit Beirer down there, almost through the cracks of their fingers, watching this.”

The move was reminiscent of Binder’s first win in Moto3 during the 2016 season. The high-flying South African overtook everybody on the grid to win the race after starting from 35th.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife

KTM’s pace in Barcelona is encouraging for Sunday’s Catalan Grand Prix

After the KTM Factory pair of Binder and Acosta, respectively, led the pre-qualifying practice session on Friday afternoon, the team will be hopeful of possibly achieving their first victory in the premier class since Miguel Oliveira’s victory at the 2022 Thai Grand Prix 1,070 days ago.

The future looks bright for the Austrian constructor, but that is only if they are able to retain the talents of Acosta in the team.

The Murcian rider is one of the hottest prospects on the grid, and Acosta has received a lot of attention in recent months over a move to a rival MotoGP team.

The influence that Dorna has shown in keeping riders faithful to their MotoGP contracts could aid KTM in their hopes of retaining Acosta.

Ducati have emerged as a threat to stealing the young Spaniard away from them as they continue their dominance over the rest of the grid.