Brad Binder should be worried by Pol Espargaro’s protege replacing him at KTM in 2027

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Brad Binder, who was once KTM’s golden rider in MotoGP, is now under immense pressure to stay in the sport come 2027.

The South African suffered his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2020 in 2025, finishing 11th in the standings with just two top-five finishes to his name.

Teammate Pedro Acosta whitewashed Binder in qualifying and rode to 12 podiums across the season. With KTM now focusing ‘almost exclusively’ on Acosta in 2026, the 30-year-old’s stock has taken a dramatic hit.

With his contract expiring in 2026, he will need to return to form. Binder will have a new crew chief at KTM, taking Toprak Razgatlioglu’s right-hand man, Phil Marron, from WSBK, which is hoped will help his fortunes.

But with there being no certainty that he will be given a new contract, Binder is one of the riders most under pressure in 2026, and KTM could already have his replacement lined up.

Brad Binder should worry about Pol Espargaro-backed Daniel Holgado taking his seat in 2027

With almost the entire grid out of contract in 2026, it is totally possible that several Moto2 riders could make the step up to the premier class in 2027. One of those could be Daniel Holgado.

The Spaniard finished sixth in his rookie season in Moto2 with two wins and five podiums. Holgado’s 2025 season ranks him eighth in terms of the best average race position by a rookie rider in the intermediate class.

A season like that, as well as a competitive season in 2026, is almost certain to attract interest from MotoGP outfits. In fact, Holgado already has a connection, as he is mentored by KTM test rider Pol Espargaro.

While he is, according to The Race, ‘leaving any MotoGP contact right now to the KTM tester and others’, that interest from the Austrian outfit ‘must exist’.

If he has a successful Moto2 campaign in 2026, and with Espargaro’s influence behind the scenes, he could be a top candidate for KTM in 2027. Binder would be wise to keep a watchful eye on the Spaniard, as well as his own performances, which desperately need to improve.

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

What does Brad Binder need to change in 2026 to keep his KTM seat?

2026 could be make-or-break for Binder’s MotoGP career, and he will need to be on his game and back to his old self if he wants to ensure that he is still in the sport come 2027.

Binder is focused on improving his qualifying in 2026, which he believes will put him in a ‘different world’. KTM also want to see him make changes inside his garage.

Pit Beirer wants Binder to have more ‘arguments’ after he became too comfortable with his previous crew chief, Andres Madrid. Working with Marron could be the change he needs to kickstart his revival.

MotoGP fans think Binder will stay at KTM amid his struggles and secure a contract for 2027 and beyond. But he will have to get much closer to Acosta if he is to get that deal.