MotoGP: Brad Binder signs to remain with KTM until 2024
Brad Binder has inked a deal to stay with KTM until 2024.
South African rider Brad Binder has signed a contract with KTM to remain in their factory MotoGP team until 2024 signifying a 10-year long relationship between the rider and manufacturer. Binder was first brought into the KTM ranks in 2015 in the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad and won the Moto3 title for the team the following year.
Following from this he and Miguel Oliveira would spearhead the KTM Moto2 project riding KTM’s own chassis equipped with Honda engines, he spent 3 seasons in Moto2 taking a P3 and a P2 overall in the championship with 8 wins and 15 podiums to his name.
In 2020 Binder was promoted to the MotoGP team riding for the Factory Red Bull KTM team replacing the outgoing Johann Zarco, in only his third MotoGP race he would take victory at Brno in a stunning display of talent, his win would be the first for the brand who joined MotoGP in 2017. Moving to 2021 Binder has been able to take a flurry of strong results including multiple fifth-place finishes despite the bike struggling due to a change in Michelins tyre allocation. His loyalty to the brand is unquestionable with KTM and Binder both hoping to continue to achieve many great things together.
Brad Binder: “I’m super, super happy to have signed again for three more seasons with KTM and it will take us up to ten years. 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.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Director: “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. 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.”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Manager: “As Team Manager I’m happy that Brad has placed his trust in us for another three years. He’s a very strong rider with a strong crew and a strong factory behind him. We will push together to achieve our mutual dreams and targets. It’s great we have this partnership up to ’24.”
Featured image – KTM Media / Polarity Photo
