Binder's Victory At The Austrian GP 'The Fruit' Of Courage And Desperation

JAKARTA - Brad Binder led KTM to glory on his home circuit after the South African rider's courage and recklessness led to victory at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, August 16.

The rider, who is in his second year in MotoGP, was determined to stick with slick tires in the last three laps when heavy rain fell at the Red Bull Ring Circuit, when the five leading riders changed their bikes to wet tire settings.

Binder from P6 suddenly became the leader of the race and bulldozed the last three laps without optimal grip and braking because of the slippery track.

But the gamble paid off happily as Binder became the first to cross the finish, nearly 13 seconds ahead of his closest rival.

"Sometimes life helps who is brave and today (courage) pays off," the 26-year-old said as quoted by Reuters.

Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, who led most of the race before changing bikes, claimed runner-up. Binder was awarded a three-second penalty for violating the track limit but the margins of the two leading riders were wide enough that it did not change the outcome of the race.

Spanish rookie and pole sitter Jorge Martin, who led Pramac Ducati to victory at the same track last week, finished third in front of the roughly 86,000 crowd that packed the Austrian track that day.

Yamaha team's Fabio Quartararo finished seventh but still holds the top of the drivers' standings which is now overshadowed by Bagnaia and reigning world champion Joan Mir in second and third place with the same points or 47 points adrift of the top.

Johann Zarco was thrown into fourth place in the standings after falling and failing to finish the race.

Binder's victory that day was his second in the driver's career in the premier class after success in Brno, Czech Republic one year ago when he was a rookie.

"It's very scary," said Binder. "Especially the last two laps.

"I was still able to push pretty hard for the first laps but as soon as the rear and front tires are cold it's like riding on ice.

"A few corners later my carbon brakes were cold so I couldn't brake either. I think someone caught me today because several times I thought it was over."

Binder admits he almost came in from the inside to overtake the leading riders in the last two laps when he sensed they were going to pit.

As soon as he saw his rivals turn into the pit lanes, Binder immediately decided to stay on the track and continue the race on dry tires.

"I knew three or four laps left and I said 'OK if I can stay in front then the only riders who can beat me are those who also choose to stay out.

Bagnaia overtook six riders on his final lap but ran out of time to catch up to Binder. The Italian rider admitted that he was impressed by the courage of his rival.

"Obviously Brad did something extraordinary today because staying on the track with slick tires in these conditions is very difficult," said Bagnaia.