Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder was only the third-quickest KTM rider during the 2025 post-season test in Valencia on Tuesday, but the South African felt something that he has lacked for ages.
Factory team partner Pedro Acosta set the pace among the KTM riders during Tuesday’s test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo with a 1:29.581 to finish the session in P5. Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales also saw out the test in P6 with a 1:29.620, while Binder finished P9 with a 1:29.711.
Tuesday’s test followed the theme of the 2025 MotoGP season, as Acosta dominated Binder after joining the factory KTM team from their satellite outfit Tech3. While Acosta scored 307 points through the 22 rounds for P4 in the standings, Binder only earned 155 points for P11.
Acosta whitewashed Binder 22-0 during qualifying in 2025, also won their Grand Prix results head-to-head 14-7 and got five podiums while the latter did not take a rostrum. Binder had never failed to get at least one Grand Prix podium finish in each of his previous five seasons.
Brad Binder could ‘really feel’ both tyres for the first time in ages during the Valencia test
KTM have given Binder a new crew chief in Phil Marron, who joined after working with Toprak Razgatlioglu in World Superbikes, to help the 30-year-old bounce back. KTM also tested an array of new parts in Valencia that helped Binder find his feeling riding the RC16 once again.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Binder has struggled to generate a strong feeling for the Michelin tyres “for a long time”, yet he rediscovered the sensation during the Valencia test. He also liked the balance of his RC16 on Tuesday, which could prove key ahead of entering the final year of his contract with KTM.
“I’ve had the feeling for a long time that we’re only running on one tyre,” Binder said, via quotes by SPEEDWEEK. “In that respect, it was nice that I could really feel both tyres.
“But we didn’t have the time to experiment with them any further. However, I feel that we’ve made progress.”
He added: “We tried a different seat unit that was more comfortable. It’s narrower, the ergonomics were a very good fit [and] it gives you a bit more freedom of movement.
“We also tested a lot of aerodynamic parts. It looks like I have better balance between the front and rear wheels on the bike. I liked the feeling.”
Brad Binder’s improved feeling on the RC16 could save his KTM career
It is said that Binder is the subject of uncomfortable discussions at KTM ahead of going into the final year of his contract, having been destroyed by Acosta during the 2025 season. He has been a pillar of KTM since he debuted with them in 2020, but 2025 was an abject failure.
Not only did Binder fail to secure a single Grand Prix podium for the first time in his MotoGP career in 2025, but he also went winless for a fourth year in a row and also scored his lowest points total since 2021. His P11 in the standings even matched his career-worst from 2020.
Reports even suggested earlier this year that KTM considered swapping Binder for Vinales in 2026, with the South African sent to Tech3, but the Spaniard suffered a shoulder injury. So, if Binder wants to remain at KTM into 2027, he has to hope that his improved feeling persists.
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