Brad Binder’s Tumble Marks Challenging Day for KTM at Emilia Romagna GP: ‘We’ll Hope for Better in the Overseas’, Says Francesco Guidotti
The 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix proved to be a difficult race for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, as Brad Binder’s crash highlighted a series of challenges for the team. Held at the iconic Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, the GP saw KTM struggling to keep pace with the frontrunners, marking a low point for the Austrian manufacturer’s 2024 campaign. Team Manager Francesco Guidotti was candid in his post-race remarks, pointing to overseas races as an opportunity for redemption.
Brad Binder, known for his aggressive riding style and ability to squeeze every ounce of performance from his KTM RC16, faced adversity at Misano. Binder, who has been a crucial figure in KTM’s MotoGP project since his debut in the premier class in 2020, was looking to add another solid result to his record. The South African rider had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the weekend, putting in competitive lap times in practice and qualifying. However, things took a turn for the worse during the race.
After a strong start, Binder appeared to be in a position to fight for points, battling with several rivals for a top-ten finish. Unfortunately, his aggressive approach led to a costly error. Midway through the race, Binder lost the front of his bike while navigating one of Misano’s trickier corners, sending him sliding into the gravel. The tumble not only ended his race but also reflected the broader struggles KTM faced throughout the weekend.
Speaking after the race, Binder expressed his frustration. “We were definitely aiming for more today. I felt we had good pace, but in these conditions, it’s a fine line between pushing hard and overstepping. Unfortunately, I made a mistake that cost us dearly.”
Binder’s crash was a significant blow to KTM’s hopes at Misano, as the team was already grappling with the limitations of their machinery on a track that historically hasn’t suited their bike. The South African rider’s disappointment was evident, yet he remained optimistic about the upcoming overseas races.
KTM’s performance at the Emilia Romagna GP was far from what the team had hoped for. While Binder’s crash was the most visible sign of their struggles, the entire weekend was challenging. Pol Espargaró, Binder’s teammate, also found himself battling hard just to remain competitive. Misano, a tight and twisty circuit, has often exposed weaknesses in KTM’s package, particularly when it comes to cornering speed and rear grip—two areas that are crucial for success on this track.
Despite several updates to the RC16, the Misano layout seemed to accentuate KTM’s struggles to find consistent grip and handling. Both Binder and Espargaró found themselves wrestling with the bike’s stability, especially in the fast corners where KTM has historically been less competitive compared to rivals like Ducati and Yamaha. This lack of stability played a role in Binder’s crash, as he pushed hard to compensate for the bike’s shortcomings.
Francesco Guidotti, the Team Manager, acknowledged the difficulties in a post-race interview. “Misano has never been a track that suits our bike, and this weekend was no exception. Brad’s crash was unfortunate, but it’s indicative of the issues we’ve faced here for a while. We need to continue developing the bike to be more competitive in these kinds of conditions.”
Guidotti’s comments post-race reflected both frustration and determination. The experienced team manager, who joined KTM in 2022, has been instrumental in pushing the development of the RC16, but he knows the team still faces an uphill battle in certain conditions. When asked about the team’s performance at Misano, Guidotti was clear in his assessment:
“This was not the result we were hoping for, and it’s always tough when a race ends like this, especially with Brad’s potential. But we know Misano isn’t one of our stronger circuits. We’ll take the lessons from here and keep pushing forward. The overseas races offer a new set of challenges, but also opportunities for us to bounce back.”
The “overseas” races Guidotti referred to include the upcoming flyaway rounds in Asia and Australia. Circuits like Phillip Island, Sepang, and Buriram tend to favor KTM’s strengths in straight-line speed and aggressive braking. Binder has previously performed well at these venues, and Guidotti believes that the overseas rounds could offer a chance for redemption.
“We’ve always been strong at tracks where top-end speed and braking are crucial, and those overseas tracks suit us much better. We’ll regroup, analyze what went wrong here, and come back stronger.”
As the MotoGP paddock shifts focus to the overseas races, all eyes will be on whether KTM can bounce back from a tough outing at Misano. Binder, who has earned a reputation for his tenacity, will undoubtedly be looking to make amends. The upcoming races will offer a fresh start, with circuits that historically favor his strengths as a rider.
Phillip Island, in particular, could be a turning point for Binder and KTM. The Australian circuit’s high-speed layout, combined with its sweeping corners, provides an excellent opportunity for Binder to exploit his aggressive riding style and KTM’s power advantage. Likewise, Sepang and Buriram, both featuring long straights and heavy braking zones, play to KTM’s strengths and could see the team back in contention.
For KTM, the overseas rounds represent not only a chance for better results but also a critical phase in their development program. With the 2024 season approaching its final stretch, every race is vital for gathering data and making improvements ahead of the winter break.
Brad Binder’s tumble at the Emilia Romagna GP may have marked a difficult day for KTM, but the team remains optimistic about the future. Francesco Guidotti’s confidence in the overseas races reflects the team’s belief in their potential to bounce back. With Binder’s fighting spirit and KTM’s continued development efforts, the flyaway rounds could see the South African rider back in contention for podiums, and perhaps even race wins.
As the MotoGP season enters its decisive phase, the resilience of Binder and KTM will be tested. But if there’s one thing the MotoGP paddock knows, it’s never to count out Brad Binder or the KTM squad. The upcoming races promise excitement, and KTM will be hoping for better fortunes as they head overseas.
