Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder is one of MotoGP’s current crop of riders who hasn’t been linked with many seats for the 2027 campaign, but Neil Hodgson has urged brands to consider signing the South African due to the talents that he possesses on the right machinery.
The KTM Factory Racing rider had another difficult qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday afternoon. His P18 grid slot, paired with Pedro Acosta’s P3, marks the 25th consecutive race weekend that he has failed to outqualify his teammate.
Fabio Di Giannantonio smashed the all-time lap record with his pole position, while Marc Marquez could only manage P6!
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KTM boss Pit Beirer admitted that Binder hasn’t performed at the level they expected during the opening rounds of the 2026 campaign, and his position at Mattighofen is now under severe pressure.
Alex Marquez is expected to ride for the factory outfit next year, and while Maverick Vinales’ proposed move up has now been put on hold, it’s unlikely for Binder to remain in orange next year.
- READ MORE: Pedro Acosta urges Brad Binder to ‘go fast’ as he touts KTM bike change to aid ‘struggling’ teammate
Neil Hodgson urges MotoGP outfits to look at signing Brad Binder for 2027
During TNT Sports’ live coverage of qualifying at the 2026 United States Grand Prix, MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson offered his thoughts on Binder’s future in the premier class amid a rider market that is already in full swing.
The former rider is a big fan of the South African’s and urged brands to consider signing him due to current rumours that suggest he will be thrust out of KTM upon the expiry of his contract.
Hodgson told co-commentator Gavin Emmett, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Brad really get the ball started with his package, if you compare him to Pedro. Of course, that’s how it is in this paddock.
“He’s a great rider, I mean, we’re huge Brad Binder fans. It’d be nice to see him with another manufacturer. He’s been on the KTM since he came into this paddock, throughout all the classes. If I were a manufacturer, I’d be interested in him, because I rate him a lot.”
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Emmett then asked whether an advantage to signing Binder would be because of his lenient contract demands, to which Hodgson replied, “Very, that’s a good question.
“If you’re in the position of Brad, who has been a factory rider now for quite a few years, it is not about earning money. It’s about getting another opportunity and proving that you’re worth it to stay in this paddock.”
- READ MORE: Michele Pirro is ‘surprised’ by the difference between Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta at KTM in 2026
Brad Binder could look at a seat in World Superbikes if MotoGP isn’t an option
However, if Binder is unsuccessful in securing a seat on the MotoGP grid next year, Hodgson can see him following in the footsteps of previous premier class competitors who have lost their seat and joined World Superbikes.
Miguel Oliveira is the most recent example of exactly that. After being replaced by Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac at the end of 2025, the Portuguese rider switched to the production motorcycle racing category with BMW, the team that his successor left.
“He’d be a good Superbikes rider, as well,” Hodgson said. “As in if he didn’t get an opportunity. If the music stops and the seats are all full, and there aren’t any opportunities to stay, I don’t think he’d go to Moto2. He would go to World Superbikes.”
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