KTM rider Brad Binder faced a tough challenge at the British MotoGP held at Silverstone, finishing in 15th place and openly struggling with confidence during the race. The difficult conditions and ongoing issues with his bike left Binder reflecting on his current performance level in the MotoGP championship.
After seven rounds of the MotoGP season, Binder has accumulated 34 points, with his best result a sixth place at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, the British Grand Prix proved particularly challenging for the two-time race winner. He crashed out of the sprint race and could only manage 15th in the main event, even gaining one position following a penalty issued to Honda’s Luca Marini. The windy and cold conditions further impacted his performance, causing instability and forcing him to adjust his riding style.
Brad Binder’s Difficult Race Experience at Silverstone
Speaking to the media after the race, Binder described the weekend at Silverstone as “horrendous” due to the bike’s instability and his lack of confidence.
“That was horrendous. Horrendous,” Binder said.
“I got off to a good start in the first one. Then the second one I didn’t get a great launch at all. Anyway, I got past a few guys but it was just so rough. I had so much shaking down the straight and from corner to corner that I kept rolling the gas on the straight, which is never a good thing.”
The KTM rider struggled with the sensations from the front tyre, especially when riding alone.
“I felt fine when I was behind somebody and took a bit of temperature, but as soon as I was alone I felt like I couldn’t crank the bike over because I felt like the front would wash the whole time,”
he admitted.
Binder also expressed how cautious riding in these conditions affected his pace, making him feel vulnerable throughout the race.
“So, not very good for sure, really, really struggled that race,”
he said.
He further acknowledged the fine line between maintaining control and risking a crash, stating,
“Even going slowly I had moments where I was luck to not have crashed. I need to find some confidence, just try and find a little bit of good feeling and try and use it.”
—Brad Binder, KTM MotoGP Rider
Ongoing Challenges with KTM and Confidence Issues
This season, KTM has appeared unsettled by the direction of its RC16 bike, with riders constantly experimenting in search of better performance. Apart from Maverick Vinales, the KTM team has struggled to find consistency. When asked about how long this situation could persist, Binder was frank about his current mindset.
“It’s not ideal for sure,” he remarked.
“Don’t get me wrong, I mean fuck me I know I’m not supposed to be riding in 15th position. But it is what it is, that’s literally my level. I feel like I could go with the boys a bit at the beginning, but then I have these funny moments.”
Binder expressed frustration at nearly failing to finish four races consecutively and the difficulty of maintaining his pace. He said,
“The last thing I want is to not finish four races in a row. Then at the end, riding around to my limit I was having moments as well, and I said ‘what the hell am I doing?’”
He closed with the hope of regaining confidence soon:
“So, little bit tricky. I need to find some confidence again and I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
—Brad Binder, KTM MotoGP Rider
Looking Ahead for Brad Binder in the MotoGP Season
Brad Binder’s ongoing battle with confidence and the KTM’s unsettled form highlight the challenges facing both rider and team as the season progresses. His honest reflections underline the difficulties in adapting to adverse conditions and an inconsistent bike setup. How quickly Binder can regain his confidence and how KTM will improve their performance could shape the remainder of the championship.
