In the final lap of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Brad Binder briefly lost control of his motorcycle in turn four and was unable to avoid going onto the green part of the track – thus violating track limits and incurring a one-place penalty.

The rider from Red Bull KTM explained the situation speaking at the press conference: ‘I tried to brake late and roll through there. I think first I had the brake on, and when I cracked the gas, I think I just pulled the weight off the front tyre. I tried to square it up, but it touched the green’.

Despite being aware of the infraction, Binder did not give up in the battle with Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati), as he emphasized: ‘It’s not ideal, of course, but at the end of the day I tried to fight anyway, I tried to get past, so at least if I’ve could got past, it would be [demoted] from first to second and not from second to third’.

O conteúdo Brad Binder didn’t give up after touching the green: ‘If I’ve passed I would be demoted from first to second’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Brad Binder was one of the key figures in the thrilling battle for victory at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix. The Red Bull KTM rider even led the race at one point but ultimately finished second behind Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati). He dropped to third place after receiving a post-race penalty for exceeding track limits on the final lap.

The South African emphasized to the official broadcast that there was nothing more he could have done in this race and gave his maximum effort. Now, he leaves Buriram with hope for the future:

– Look, I tried my best today, I left nothing on the table. Behind Jorge I tried my absolute best to keep as much rubber to the end as I could. I saw my opportunity, I tried to go, but one lap after that the rubber heat and that’s it for my rear tyre. But I’m really happy with the way we rode today. I didn’t leave anything on the table like as I said. My team did a terrific job and I’m sure the win is coming.

O conteúdo ‘I tried my best, I left nothing on the table’ – Brad Binder aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Pol Espargaro finished yesterday’s race in 18th position, far from the scoring places, contrasting with the good performance of Brad Binder and Jack Miller aboard the factory KTM.

Still, the GasGas rider stated that he was feeling good in this morning’s warm up, agreeing, however, with the cancellation of the sprint race:

– It’s a shame, I always like to ride here in any conditions. Especially this morning we were very fast, the bike was working very well. In the top eight there were four KTMs, two GasGas and two KTMs and we were very fast and the feeling was very good, so I was really expecting this race in the rain, but yes, at the end of the day it’s like I say, safety first.

The #44 also explained what makes Phillip Island such a complicated track to ride, especially with more adverse conditions, even comparing it to other circuits on the calendar, namely Barcelona:

– I think here at Phillip Island it’s a combination, which ends with a bad result at the end, because the track is not very wide and the speeds in this place are very, very fast, like in the first corner. There are many places where the speed is very high and then you have the wind. I would say that if there is wind at the Barcelona circuit, it won’t be a big problem because the track is a bit wider and there are not such fast corners. It’s not a criticism, it’s what it is. I really like riding on this circuit, I love this place, but it’s also a reality that when the wind appears, on a track that is already challenging, with wind it’s impossible, so it’s a shame because it’s a fantastic place and I think all the riders of all categories have fun here and want to come here to race.

O conteúdo ‘It’s a shame, I always like to ride here in any conditions’ – Pol Espargaro aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Augusto Fernández, during the testing sessions in Misano, emphasized his work on the foundational aspects of his motorcycle. He finished ninth in the first testing session and fifteenth in the second. Fernández’s primary objective was to work on the base of his bike and identify elements that could assist him immediately, especially since there were no new components to test.

“We worked on my base bike; I had nothing to test. But I needed this calm day to try things out without worrying about clocking a good time. It was an opportunity to experiment with aspects that might not work out, helping us understand the direction we should take,” explained the Spanish rider from the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team.

Fernández, the only rookie in the category for 2023, then highlighted the positive takeaways from the test. “I believe we found something. I won’t say it too loudly because the track conditions here can change, and the entire scenario can shift. However, I felt good during braking, which was an area I felt needed improvement. We made significant progress compared to yesterday’s race, and I also maintained a consistent pace. So, there’s nothing more to do; we’ll take this base and continue in India. I hope the improvements we’ve made prove beneficial.”

The emphasis on foundational aspects and the base of the bike is crucial for riders, especially in a sport as competitive as MotoGP. Fine-tuning the motorcycle to the rider’s preferences can make a significant difference in race performance. Fernández’s approach to focus on the basics, rather than new components, showcases his dedication to understanding his machine thoroughly and ensuring that he is in the best possible position to compete.

Misano, with its unique track conditions, offers riders a different challenge. The track’s characteristics can change rapidly, making it essential for riders to have a bike that can adapt quickly. Fernández’s comments about feeling good during braking highlight the importance of having a motorcycle that responds well in all conditions. Braking, in particular, is a critical aspect of racing, allowing riders to navigate corners efficiently and maintain optimal speeds.

The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team, known for its dedication to excellence, will undoubtedly take the insights from this testing session and apply them in future races. With the next race set in India, a track with its own set of challenges, the team and Fernández will be keen to see how the improvements made in Misano translate to a different racing environment.

In the world of MotoGP, where fractions of a second can determine the outcome of a race, every bit of information and every minor adjustment can be crucial. Fernández’s focus on the foundational aspects of his bike, combined with the team’s expertise, sets the stage for exciting races in the future. Fans and enthusiasts will be eagerly waiting to see how the young Spanish rider performs in the upcoming races, armed with the knowledge and improvements from the Misano tests.

O conteúdo Augusto Fernández, like the KTM riders at the tests: ‘We worked on my base bike, I didn’t have anything to test’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Simon Längenfelder won the qualifying race at the MXGP of Turkey, for the MX2 World Motocross Championship. This Saturday’s race in Afyonkarahisar was marked by rain and wind, especially in the final part.

At the start, Längenfelder (Red Bull GasGas) took the lead and held onto it until the end. Roan van de Moosdijk (Nestaan Husqvarna) was his main opponent until being overtaken by Liam Everts (Red Bull KTM) on the ninth lap.

The rain and wind intensified in the last few laps, making it challenging for the riders. However, this did not discourage Everts from pursuing Längenfelder.

The Belgian put up a strong fight, but the German managed to win by 0.389s. The two were in a league of their own, as van de Moosdijk finished third, a distant 18.587s behind the leaders. Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha), the championship leader, finished fourth ahead of Lucas Coenen (Neestan Husqvarna).

Results:

O conteúdo Simon Längenfelder beats Liam Everts in thrilling MX2 qualifying race in Turkey aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.