Best moments of Brad Binder’s MotoGP career including first win, pole, podium and more

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Brad Binder has been a model of consistency and grit throughout his MotoGP career, earning a reputation as one of the fan-favourites on the grid since his debut in the 2020 season.

KTM provided Brad Binder with his premier class breakthrough in 2020, promoting the South African directly from their Moto2 program to the factory outfit of the Austrian constructor.

Unlike many of his rivals who have moved between constructors on the premier class grid, Binder has remained a loyal servant of the Austrian brand.

Binder’s career is defined by his uncanny ability to qualify poorly but carve through the field on race day.

Despite recent years not going showcasing the best side of the South African’s talents, he certainly has some impressive highlights over the course of his six year career in the sport.

Where did Brad Binder make his MotoGP debut?

Binder made his MotoGP debut in the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Riding for the factory KTM team, the South African finished P13 after starting from 11th on the grid, securing points in his first-ever premier class outing.

It wouldn’t take him long to make his mark on MotoGP, however, as a win was just around the corner.

• READ MORE: Who is KTM rider Brad Binder? Everything you need to know from career stats to his wife

Brad Binder won his first MotoGP race at Brno in the 2020 Czech Republic Grand Prix

The 2020 Czech Republic Grand Prix was the first defining moment of Binder’s career in MotoGP.

In only his third start, Binder claimed a historic victory at Brno, marking the first-ever win for KTM in the premier class.

He also became the first South African to win a MotoGP race and the first rookie to win since Marc Marquez in 2013.

The rookie had qualified P7 during Saturday’s shootout but displayed a ruthless clinical edge, picking off several riders like Fabio Quartararo before hunting down race leader Franco Morbidelli.

He eventually took the lead with nine laps to go and pulled away to win by over five seconds, sparking wild celebrations in the KTM garage.

When did Brad Binder take his first pole position in MotoGP?

As of the time of writing, Binder has yet to take a pole position in the premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

The closest that the KTM rider has gotten to a front-of-the-pack start is third place, where he has qualified a total of five times over the course of his career in MotoGP.

Binder secured just one pole position during his Moto2 days and six in Moto3, but hasn’t quite managed to replicate his one-lap pace from those categories in the pinnacle class.

When did Brad Binder take his first podium finish in MotoGP?

Binder’s first MotoGP podium was his victory at the 2020 Czech Republic Grand Prix.

Unlike many riders who find their way to the rostrum via a third or second place, Binder bypassed the lower steps entirely to take the top step of the podium in just his third race in the premier class.

• READ MORE: Neil Hodgson delighted by one glimpse of ‘classic’ Brad Binder at the Austrian Grand Prix

Where did Brad Binder win his first Sprint Race?

Binder made history by winning the second-ever MotoGP Sprint Race at the 2023 Argentine Grand Prix.

Starting from a dismal P15 on the grid, Binder produced a brilliant display of overtaking as he gained 12 positions in the opening laps to take a sensational victory at the Termas de Rio Hondo-based circuit.

Unfortunately, the South African was unable to replicate his pace in Sunday’s Grand Prix, but would go on to win his second and most recent Sprint race two weekends later in Spain.

Where did Brad Binder win his first MotoGP riders’ championship?

As of the time of writing, Brad Binder has yet to win a MotoGP riders’ championship.

Despite the lack of a premier class title, the South African is a Grand Prix motorcycle world champion in the Moto3 category.

The championship feat came during the 2016 season, where Binder dominated a field that consisted of future MotoGP world champions in Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

He came close to the Moto2 crown in 2019, but lost out by just three points to Alex Marquez.

Binder’s career best finish in the MotoGP standings came during the 2023 season, where he finished fourth in the riders’ championship.

• READ MORE: How Brad Binder ‘destroyed’ his rivals ‘psychologically’ during his first victory in Moto3 at Jerez

Where did Brad Binder take his best win in MotoGP?

While Brno was his first, Binder’s win at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix is arguably his best.

With three laps to go, torrential rain began to fall at the Red Bull Ring. While the leaders opted to dive into the pits to swap to wet-weather bikes, Binder made the decision to stay out on slick tyres.

What ensued was a dazzling display of incredible bike control.

Binder tip-toed around the soaked track, his carbon brakes losing temperature and his tyres losing all grip.

Despite sliding nearly off the track several times, he held on to take his second and most recent win in the category by just under nine seconds over Francesco Bagnaia.