Binder brothers do South Africa proud as fraught MotoGP season comes to an end
MotoGP heroes Brad and Darryn did South Africa proud as the troubled 2020 season came to an end in Portugal. Elder brother Brad may have crashed out of the Portimao race early, but he had already done enough to clinch the prestigious Rookie of the Year title. Home rider Miguel Oliveira dominated the race on his KTM as World Champion Joan Mir’s Suzuki retired. Darryn Binder meanwhile rode an impressive race to sixth in Moto3.
“ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WAS MY 2020 GOAL” – BRAD
“We wrapped up the Rookie of the Year award, which was a goal starting the season,” Brad concluded. “I made a good start but on the second lap two riders had contact and I was left out to dry and had to run off track. Coming back I got a great slipstream on the straight but came into Turn 1 too hot. Unfortunately it was enough to lose the front.
“It’s a shame because we had the pace to do a good job. It’s been a tough but fantastic season with big highs and low lows! I think all of it will build me up to be a stronger rider next season. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone in the box and the entire team. The feeling is great and we have a competitive package for sure.”
Brad made history when he won on his fourth Moto Grand Prix start to score KTM’s maiden top class victory back in August. He went on to finish eleventh overall in an up and down season as he scored the Rookie award. Joan Mir emerged a shock world champion in a sensational season that saw nine different riders win through exhausting fourteen round season run over just four months.
DARRYN BINDER ENTED 8TH IN MOTO3
Darryn Binder rode a sensible race to come home sixth in Moto3 as he wound up eighth in the baby class championshiop. He fought it out in a group that included the three title protagonists in a championship that quite literally went down to the wire. Spaniard Albert Arenas came home twelfth on his KTM to hold off Honda duo Tony Arbolino who ended fifth and To Ogura in eighth in the title race. KTM rider Raoul Fenandez dominated the race.
The Moto2 title likewise went down to the last corner of he last lap of the season as Kalex rider Enea Bastianini rode home fifth to clinch the title from second and third men Luca Marini and Sam Lowes. Remy Gardner, son of 1987 MotoGP world champion Wayne, took his maiden grand prix victory.
MotoGP now takes a most welcome rest following a fraught season. Brad Binder will be back as a factory KTM rider for 2021 as Darryn moves across to Petronas Sprinta Honda in Moto3. “I am super excited for the opportunity,” Darryn, who took a maisen Moto3 win in 2020 admitted on signing in September. “I think we have big potential together and I feel like we can do a really good job together and can have a bright future.”
