Brad Binder struggles with the KTM, especially in qualifying attempts. He explains the reasons why the RC16 does not suit his aggressive riding style
In contrast to his KTM teammate Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder did not make it into Q2 at the MotoGP season opener in Thailand. The South African missed out on a top-ten finish on Friday, and he also failed to secure one of the first two places in Q1.
Binder started from 14th place, while Acosta qualified in seventh. It is a pattern that has been observed for some time. Last year, Binder captured places on the second row of the grid seven times, but often he had to fight to make it into Q2.
He last started from the front row in 2023 in Australia. Binder has not yet achieved a pole position in MotoGP. He also has an explanation for why he is struggling in qualifying.
“My riding style, which has always allowed me to set fast laps, involves braking very hard, releasing the brake quickly and carrying a lot of cornering speed,” Binder describes. “But at the moment we have to be very careful with the front wheel.”
The risk of crashing over the front wheel is high. “If I attack hard at the front, I lose control of the front tire. This gives me severe understeer, which makes it particularly difficult when we are chasing times.”
“The way I currently have to ride with the front tire is a bit at odds with my natural riding style. But we’re working on it. I think we’ve already improved it a bit. But when the track is very hot and grip levels drop, our problems become even more apparent.”
No universal remedy has yet been found for the RC16’s set-up that would allow Binder to be more aggressive in qualifying. ‘If there was a solution that worked, we would use it permanently,’ Binder sighs.
“So it’s a difficult matter.” In the Buriram races, both KTM riders were together on the track at times. In the sprint in particular, they fought a close duel. Acosta said that he had to adapt his riding style somewhat to the new bike.
Is that also the case with Binder? “Yes, my riding style didn’t work very well with the small problems we had in the second half of last year and so far this season.”
“I’m more of an aggressive driver, but you have to drive very cleanly now. That’s something I’m struggling with. And when the grip decreases, you have to drive even more precisely, which is sometimes difficult for me.”
In the Buriram sprint, Acosta finished sixth, while Binder came in eighth. In the Grand Prix, Acosta crashed early on. Binder crossed the finish line 20 seconds behind winner Marc Marquez (Ducati) and finished in eighth place again.
