Marco Bezzecchi
Phil Marron has compared Brad Binder to Toprak Razgatlioglu after serving as the crew chief to both riders. Marron joined KTM at the end of 2025 rather than following Razgatlioglu to MotoGP.
The Northern Irishman was Razgatlioglu’s crew chief for all three of his title-winning seasons in World Superbikes, but Pramac signed Alberto Giribuola from Tech3 to work alongside the Turkish rider instead.
KTM pounced on the opportunity to sign Marron for Binder’s side of the garage, ending the South African’s long-running partnership with Andres Madrid.
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Brad Binder and Toprak Razgatlioglu are champions – and they act like it
Marron was asked about the similarities between the two riders in an interview with Speedweek.
“It’s difficult to draw a comparison,” he said after Razgatlioglu’s switch from WSBK. “It’s a different bike, a different championship, and different tyres.”
While he was reluctant to compare the two riders, he says they have a similar mentality. He spoke highly of Binder’s grit and professionalism.
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“Both are very good people,” said Marron. “I feel very fortunate to be working with such good guys. Both are world champions, which most people don’t achieve.
“Both are fighters who enjoy the races. The tests and preparation are things they have to do, but they do them to enjoy the race afterward – in that respect, they are very similar.”
Binder won the Moto3 title in 2016 and also finished as the runner-up in Moto2 just before graduating to the premier class in 2020.
As he admitted in an interview last year, Binder thought his career would look very different when he won just his third MotoGP race. 2025 was his first ever season without a podium.
‘Sunday rider’ Brad Binder enters critical period for racing career
Heading into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Binder is 12th in the championship – one position lower than he finished last year. He has been leapfrogged by Tech3’s Enea Bastianini, while Pedro Acosta is up in third on the same machinery.
Marron admits that Binder is a ‘Sunday rider’ and recognises the need to improve in qualifying. He has started the last two events from 21st and 18th.
Worryingly, KTM boss Pit Beirer says Binder must change his riding style because his traditional approach no longer works.
As it stands, Binder has no plan B if KTM don’t offer him a new deal for 2027, so the coming races could decide whether he remains on the MotoGP grid.
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