With the 2025 MotoGP season set to begin on February 28 at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, teams and riders are deep into their final preparations. This year’s campaign will feature 22 races across 18 countries, marking the longest season in the sport’s history.
For Brad Binder and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, the work for 2025 is already well underway. The South African recently completed his first major test of the year at Sepang International Circuit, where he continued refining the KTM RC16 alongside his new teammate, Pedro Acosta.
Adapting and Improving
Binder, now entering his sixth season in the premier class, has been a consistent top-six finisher over the past four years. However, with KTM finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, there is a clear push to close the gap to the front.
During testing, Binder worked on adjustments to his riding style, particularly in how he approaches corner entries—an area where Acosta showed strong ability in Moto2.
“I’ve been trying to cut some meters here and there,” Binder said after Thursday’s session in Sepang. “When I go to push, I still revert to what I know, but there are already benefits in the way I stop the bike and position it into the corners. It’s something I’ll keep working on.”
Binder finished the test 11th on the timesheets but remained optimistic about the progress KTM has made, especially with adjustments to the suspension and engine configurations. The rear-end vibrations that were an issue last year have not yet been fully resolved, but early indications suggest improvements in balance and overall grip.
Building on 2024
Reflecting on last season, Binder acknowledged that 2024 was a year of learning and growth. He believes those experiences will help him take the next step in 2025.
“To be honest, 2024 was the year where I probably learned the most,” he said. “I feel like I’ve come into 2025 a better rider. The goal is to take what I learned and build on it to fight at the front consistently. We’re not far off, and I can see how much effort is going in behind the scenes.”
KTM has assembled a strong line-up for 2025, with Acosta joining Binder at the factory team, while Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales will compete for Red Bull KTM Tech3. The depth of talent in the team reflects KTM’s growing ambitions in the series.
Looking Ahead
Binder and KTM will continue their testing program in February before heading to Thailand for the season opener. The 2025 calendar will present a tough challenge, with early rounds in Argentina, the United States, and Qatar before the European leg of the season begins.
With improvements in place and more work to be done, Binder remains focused on extracting the most from the KTM RC16. The opening races will provide a clearer picture of where KTM stands, but for now, the team remains confident in its ability to take another step forward in the new season.
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