In an impressive display of skill and determination, Brad Binder shone at the Thailand MotoGP, securing coveted spots on the podium in both the sprint and main races this past weekend. The South African racer demonstrated his prowess on Saturday, finishing second in the Sprint Race behind Spain’s Jorge Martin. The following day, Binder clinched the third spot on the podium, competing fiercely against Martin and Italian sensation Francesco Bagnaia. Despite initially crossing the line in second place, Binder was relegated to third due to a technical infringement involving race track limits on the final lap.
Binder improving every race
Since joining MotoGP in 2020, Binder has exhibited steady improvement season after season. Currently positioned at fourth place in the championship standings with 249 points, he trails behind Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi (310 points) in third, Jorge Martin (376 points) in second, and reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia leading the pack with 389 points. In his debut MotoGP season, Binder secured the 11th spot, following it up with two consecutive 6th-place finishes in 2021 and 2022.
Our #MondayMotivation. 🔥
— Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) October 30, 2023
Now the most successful South African in the history of the premier class. 🇿🇦#KTM #ReadyToRace #ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/zGCFeXoNFU
Season heading to a close, Binder aiming high
With three remaining MotoGP events for the 2023 season, including the newly introduced Saturday sprint races, Binder retains a mathematical chance of reaching the championship podium. However, the considerable 61-point gap between him and Bezzecchi makes it a challenging pursuit to secure the third position. Nonetheless, Binder’s consistent performances this season have highlighted his potential, especially considering the limitations of the KTM team’s current bike. Speculations within the racing community suggest that an upgraded bike for the 2024 season might propel Binder to even greater achievements.
Spectacular racing in Thailand
The Thailand MotoGP event on Sunday witnessed an exhilarating three-way battle between Martin, Bagnaia, and Binder, with the trio engaging in a thrilling exchange of positions in the final laps. Ultimately, pole-sitter Martin, riding a Pramac-Ducati, emerged victorious, celebrating his hard-earned win with exuberance. Bagnaia acknowledged the intense competition, likening the experience to being in a video game room, while Binder expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing that he left nothing on the table.
The #ThaiGP 🇹🇭 gave us the fourth closest podium ever in a full-length premier class race 🤏
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 30, 2023
But that's not all! Check out more intriguing numbers from Sunday's epic race 👀#MotoGP | 📰https://t.co/kOWUJggNRQ
In the preceding sprint race on Saturday, Martin maintained an unyielding lead from start to finish, while Binder showcased his speed and agility, securing a commendable second place after swiftly maneuvering through the field. Reflecting on the race, Martin highlighted his strategic tire management, noting Binder’s impressive overtaking and his own decision to accelerate once Binder moved into second place.
It's @BradBinder_33 against the world and...himself! ⚔️
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 31, 2023
Which was the best overtake from the #ThaiGP? 🇹🇭 You decide in the poll below! 🗳️#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/9y2d7JwdeM
Exciting season conclusion heading our way
Looking ahead, MotoGP fans can anticipate an exciting conclusion to the 2023 season, with three consecutive weekends of racing on the horizon. With a mere 13-point margin separating Martin and defending champion Bagnaia, the race for the 2023 MotoGP championship remains wide open, generating anticipation and excitement within the racing community.
The upcoming Malaysian MotoGP is scheduled for November 10-12, followed by a scintillating championship event in Qatar from November 17-19. The season culminates with the final weekend of intense racing in Valencia at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo from November 24-26. Rallying the support of fans worldwide, the stage is set for a thrilling climax to an action-packed MotoGP season.
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