When A Fatal Accident Occurs, Binder Is Right Behind Zarco

Brad Binder (Instagram @bradbinder)

JAKARTA - A deadly accident occurred at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend. Johann Zarco was involved in a high-speed collision with rider Franco Morbidelli at turn three at the Red Bull Ring Circuit.

Their motorbikes sped up and almost hit two Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales who were only a few centimeters away.

Deadly accident at the Austrian GP (Photo: Motogp.com)

Brad Binder became the racer who most clearly witnessed the terrifying incident. He was right behind Zarco.

The fact that the two bikes missed and didn't hit Rossi and Vinales was both a miracle and an extraordinary one.

"I think the luckiest person in the world right now is Valentino Rossi," Binder told CNN Sport.

The 25-year-old KTM racer trembled at the thought of what might have happened.

One of the most terrifying #MotoGP crashes we've EVER seen !!! 😱Watch the Turn 3 accident from all angles! 💥 # AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/L2GLToviFi

- MotoGP ™ 🏁 (@MotoGP) August 17, 2020

"I honestly chose not to think about it," he admits. "You know the bikes are probably still going over 200 kph, and a bike weighing 185 kg is flying close to 200 kph, if it hits someone, I think we all know how it will end."

Remarkably, both Zarco and Morbidelli escaped the incident, although Zarco had to undergo surgery for a fracture of his wrist today.

Binder said, the risk in a race is always there. But, the only way was not to think about it.

"Unfortunately, the only way to do this work is to approach it in that (risky) way. If you're worried about the risks and things that could happen, I don't think you'll ever be able to do this work for a living," he explained. Binder.

Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli shortly after the accident (Photo: motogp.com)