MotoGP™: Maiden glory for KTM and Binder at Brno

Rookie Brad Binder’s assertive performance at Round 4 of the 2020 World Championship saw the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider chalk up his and KTM’s maiden victory at MotoGPTM level. The South African crossed the line more than five seconds clear of Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), while Esponsorama’s Johann Zarco was third to make it three different bikemakers on the Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky podium. The MICHELIN Power Slick provided another eloquent illustration of its versatility at the punishing Czech Republic circuit.  

Brad Binder and KTM made motorcycle racing history in the Czech Republic by adding their names to the list of MotoGPTM winners. Having qualified fourth on the grid, the 24-year old chose a combination of hard and soft MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear for Sunday’s race which saw him set a strong pace from the start, including the afternoon’s fastest lap (1m57.445s) third time around.

By Lap 9, he had eased past Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) to appear in second spot behind Morbidelli before taking the lead of a grand prix for the first time in his career four laps later. A series of quick, consistent laps then helped him to pull clear of the pack and take the chequered flag with a cushion of 5.266s over his Yamaha rival. 

By winning only his third race at MotoGPTM level, Binder claimed KTM’s first success, just three years after the Austrian brand’s debut in the premier class, while Morbidelli notched up his first-ever podium finish.

Zarco took the paddock by surprise by securing pole position before producing a solid race that harvested the Frenchman’s first top-three result in the colours of Esponsorama Racing.

Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) and Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the top five, ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and championship pacesetter Quartararo.

Brno’s bumpy surface makes it a particularly challenging venue for tyres – especially for the rears – but the MICHELIN Power Slick overcame the delicate conditions and heat, not to mention the low grip levels provided by the ageing track, to provide a competitive cocktail of performance and consistency throughout the three-day meeting.

All the riders opted for the hard front which they paired with either the soft or medium rear, and the versatility of Michelin’s MotoGPTM range saw four different bike manufacturers fill the top four places at the finish.

Quartararo (59 points) continues to top the provisional Riders’ standings, ahead of Maverick Viñales (42) and Morbidelli (31).

Next round: myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, Spielberg, Austria (August 14-16).