KTM boss Pit Beirer hails ‘top-notch’ Brad Binder performance at Spanish Grand Prix

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Brad Binder has earned praise from KTM boss Pit Beirer after his performance in the wet Sprint race at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Binder was the first rider to change bikes when it started raining at Jerez, but he blew a potential victory by crashing. The South African was able to remount and finish fourth, his best result in any competitive session this year.

In fact, it was his first top-four finish in a Sprint since the 2024 British GP. He was the only KTM rider to score points in one of the most challenging races in recent memory.

Will Brad Binder be on the MotoGP grid in 2027?

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Brad Binder was ‘top-notch’ but wet Sprint ‘sabotaged’ KTM at Jerez

Speaking to Speedweek, Beirer applauded Binder, even if he felt the rain on Saturday ‘sabotaged’ KTM’s weekend.

Enea Bastianini was the only RC16 rider who made it straight through to Q2 on Friday, but they couldn’t further their understanding of the bike in dry conditions.

Bastianini led the KTM trio again in the main race (Maverick Vinales was absent through injury). The Italian finished eighth, with Pedro Acosta a season-low 10th and Binder 11th.

• READ MORE: Pit Beirer says KTM’s full-time riders couldn’t match Pol Espargaro’s test times at Jerez

“Brad’s performance and result in the sprint were top-notch – but in the end, Saturday sabotaged our work. Sunday morning meant starting all over again,” said Beirer.

“But we also mustn’t forget that we came here with Pedro in third place in the championship. We know the foundation is there – and yet Jerez was a disappointment.”

Brad Binder’s MotoGP future assessed after best performance of 2026

An eye-catching Sprint and a solid points finish in the race improve Binder’s chances of keeping his seat for 2027. He has entered a decisive period for his future.

Tech3’s potential switch to Honda means that KTM may only control two seats next year. One of those is going to Alex Marquez.

Ducati high-flyer Fabio Di Giannantonio is also linked to KTM, though VR46 are still hopeful that he will stay.

While the 30-year-old hasn’t been linked with any other teams, Gavin Emmett says Trackhouse should look at Binder to fill the gap left by Ai Ogura, who’s heading to Yamaha.