KTM’s Brad Binder will remain a part of the marque’s MotoGP squad for at least a further three years after inking a contract extension lasting until the end of 2024.
Binder made his premier class debut with the manufacturer for the ’20 campaign off the back of a run to second in the previous season’s Moto2 classification, the South African immediately making a splash as he won the Czech Grand Prix at Brno in only his third MotoGP start.
He would end the year 11th overall after recording a further two top five results, Binder having scored a pair of fifth’s as his best results across the opening six contests of his sophomore term despite having to deal with a largely uncompetitive RC16.
Binder reckons it is an “honor” to be able to extend his partnership with KTM across all classes to a decade with the new deal, the 25-year old excited for the future collaboration between the two parties.
“I’m super, super happy to have signed again for three more seasons with KTM and it will take us up to ten years,” said Binder.
“It’s incredible to have been with this manufacturer for such a long time now and we’ve always had a good relationship.
“I’m extremely happy in KTM colors so it’s extra satisfying to have a long contract signed-up, it’s cool to have that belief and support from a company. It’s an honor.
“From here on we can focus on building ourselves towards the front. We are not terribly far away, and it would be really nice to do something great together. It’s exciting to see what these next years will bring.”
KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer added that the decision to extend Binder’s stay with KTM’s factory operation was “very easy”, the Austrian lauding the enthusiasm and philosophy he brings to the team that he feels mirrors its own approach.
“This was a very easy contract for us to do because we love Brad as a racer and what he brings to the team, the factory and the MotoGP class,” explained Beirer.
“He was also very enthusiastic to make a big commitment to us and that says a lot for our progression and our potential in this championship.
“Sometimes you find a racer and a mentality that really fits with your own philosophy and the fact that Brad has come all the way to the top with us in a ten year period is a very special story.
“We’re really proud to continue racing with him and to keep setting new targets together.”
Binder first tasted grand prix success with the Indian Mahindra brand in Moto3 back in ’14, his third full campaign in the light-weight class as he captured a pair of rostrums-a personal best of second coming at the Sachsenring in Germany.
He then joined the KTM family for ’15, kick-starting a successful two year stint that culminated in a total of six wins and the world championship in ’16, facilitating a promotion to Moto2 for the following year with the works-backed Ajo team.
A tally of eight victories and a pair of top three overall points finishes across his three campaigns in the intermediate class earned him a berth in KTM’s factory MotoGP outfit for ’19 alongside Pol Espargaro.
Binder currently sits eighth in the points after six races contested so far this year, six clear of new team-mate Miguel Oliveira.
