Binder’s Battle for Redemption: Aiming for Victory at the Red Bull Ring Amidst a Challenging MotoGP 2024 Season

Brad Binder describes the major breakthrough in MotoGP 2024 as enhancing his confidence in the bike’s front end, which played a crucial role in ending his series of falls.

Brad Binder comes to the Red Bull Ring seeking his first MotoGP victory since triumphing at the same location in 2021. Despite his victory drought, he was the main challenger to Francesco Bagnaia during the latter's commanding performance at the previous year's Austrian MotoGP event.

In 2022, for the first time since 2015, Binder did not secure a single race victory. However, he made a comeback in 2023, clinching victories in both the Argentinian and Spanish Sprint races. Yet, as of 2024, he has yet to achieve a win on any weekend race day.

"Binder acknowledged the significant passage of time since 2021," he conceded. "Sure, we've secured a few Sprint victories, but they're not the main focus. So, let's aim to clinch one of the major [Grand Prix] wins once more."

Consequently, Binder aims to recapture the level of performance he demonstrated in Austria the previous year.

"Every year, it appears we discover something new at this Grand Prix," Binder mentioned. "It seems to complement our motorcycle's characteristics perfectly, especially the way it handles late braking and the stop-and-go nature, which actually benefits us. The recent races haven't been in our favor, but we anticipate significant improvements.

"I'm truly thrilled to return to this circuit; it's a place that holds many fond memories for me, a place where I've consistently been able to step up, despite the challenges we've faced this season. Historically, it's served as a pivotal moment for us, and I'm optimistic that it will play that role once again."

Binder's campaign, along with KTM's overall performance, has experienced a decline in terms of achievements. Kicking off the season with a strong showing of three podium finishes in the initial three Grand Prix races, KTM has since failed to secure a top-three finish, with their last podium being Pedro Acosta's third-place finish at the Italian Sprint in June. As for Binder, he hasn't claimed a podium spot since securing second place at the Qatar Grand Prix.

"The performance in Qatar was excellent, securing two second-place finishes felt fantastic," stated the driver of car #33. "Yet, during the race, it was evident that there were specific areas where we were falling behind our rivals. On the flip side, there were also spots in Qatar where I managed to recover a significant amount of time. That aspect was indeed positive."

"However, as the next few competitions unfolded, we encountered some challenging aspects, making it evident that adjustments were necessary to climb higher in the rankings."

Binder humorously acknowledged that his frequent crashes in the season's early stages played a part in KTM's challenges.

“The main issue we encountered was my frequent falls,” Binder explained. “Our goal was to regain our confidence in the front, and that's one aspect we've successfully addressed.

"The squad is putting in an immense amount of effort, with the factory crew tirelessly pushing forward. For me, it seems inevitable that podium finishes and, with hope, victories are on the horizon."

Alongside its usual four riders, KTM is also fielding its test rider, Pol Espargaro, as a wildcard entry this weekend. Binder was reserved about the specifics of what Espargaro is trialing during this event, including any novel or modified elements on his motorcycle, yet he shared a positive perspective.

"Clearly, I'm aware Pol has arrived with a somewhat unique setup," Binder mentioned. "He's equipped with a variety of new upgrades. Observing their progress will be fascinating, especially since the test team is continuously developing for our future and shaping what the upcoming year holds for us."

Binder mentioned he's uncertain about when he'll have the chance to test the components Espargaro is experimenting with this weekend.

"I'm unsure about when we'll have the chance to personally test the bike. However, I'm genuinely hoping that Pol is in top form this weekend and puts on a strong performance."

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