Winner Red Bull KTM Factory Racing´s South African Brad Binder celebrates during the winner’s ceremony after the Moto GP Czech Grand Prix at Masaryk circuit in Brno on August 9, 2020. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)
Watch: Binder claims first MotoGP win in sensational Czech GP [video]
Binder delivered a sensational race to earn his very first victory in Grand Prix Motorcyle racing’s elite class and ends a 40-year wait for a South African to stand atop of that podium.
Winner Red Bull KTM Factory Racing´s South African Brad Binder celebrates during the winner’s ceremony after the Moto GP Czech Grand Prix at Masaryk circuit in Brno on August 9, 2020. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)
Red Bull KTM’s South African rider Brad Binder produced the first podium and win for the team with a terrific ride at Brno in the Czech Grand Prix.
Binder became the first rookie to record a race win since Marc Marquez made his MotoGP debut.
Binder delivered a sensational race to earn his very first victory in Grand Prix Motorcyle racing’s elite class and ends a 40-year wait for a South African to stand atop of that podium.
The last South African to win a race in the premier class was Jon Ekerold who claimed the 1980 German Grand Prix under the 500cc class.
Binder won by over five seconds, pipping Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) over the line with the Italian picking up his first MotoGP rostrum. Polesitter Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) – despite taking a long lap penalty for an incident with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – rounded out a memorable podium.
The South African won the Moto2 race in Brno last season and despite claiming that past experience counted for little in making the step up, Binder seemed to have the lay of the track down.
Alex Rins returned from injury in qualifying for the opening race of the season and claimed fourth on his Suzuki while championship leader Fabio Quartraro extended his championship lead with a seventh-placed finish despite enduring a difficult afternoon.
Fifth-placed Valentino Rossi was among the first to congratulate Binder on his race win, the Doctor liking what he had seen from the South African.
Final places
“I don’t think it’s ever gonna sink in. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about!” an emotional Binder said after the race.
“Today it finally came true, unbelievable to think it was in my third Grand Prix, I thought it would take a long time.”
Binder claims first MotoGP win at Brno
Binder had been expected to perhaps push to be the rookie of the year but winning a race for KTM Red Bull may see expectations shift.
The ride also gave KTM their first-ever MotoGP win and has really announced Binder’s arrival on the scene.
Binder’s younger brother Darryn is on the circuit racing in Moto3 and was straight out onto the track to share a moment of sibling bliss.
It is a bit of a shame that Binder’s first win comes behind closed doors because the ride he produced would have had any crowd on its feet.
