The 2020 MotoGP season was a unique and challenging year, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the sport. One of the standout moments of that season was the Czech Grand Prix, where Brad Binder, riding for KTM, scored his and the team's first victory. This win was a significant moment for Binder, who had been a rising star in the KTM junior rider system and was making his debut in MotoGP with the factory squad.
Binder's performance at Brno was impressive, as he recovered from an early mistake to show pace that threatened the leading riders. His victory was praised by Johann Zarco, who noted that Binder was doing the job he couldn't do, and that KTM had made significant improvements to the bike over the winter. This win seemed to signal the start of something special for Binder, and he went on to have a consistent 2021 season, with a highlight being his victory in Austria on dry tires in a wet track.
However, the hype around Binder has not been sustained in recent seasons. In 2023, he had his best performance with two sprint wins, five grand prix podiums, and fourth in the standings. But in 2024, he has struggled to score podiums, and his results have been average, with no wins or podiums. This has raised questions about the justification of the hype around Binder, and whether his victories in 2020 were a fluke or a sign of true potential.
One factor that may have contributed to Binder's dip in form is the arrival of Pedro Acosta to the grid in 2024. Acosta, a generational talent, has been able to justify the hype around him with three podiums and a sprint win on a KTM bike, despite the team's problems. Acosta's battle with Marc Marquez at Hungary was a preview of what will be possible when he has better machinery underneath him, and he has beaten Binder 8-0 in qualifying so far.
Binder's struggles have also been reflected in his crew chief relationship with Andres Madrid, who was replaced by Phil Marron at the end of 2024. KTM believed that the relationship had become too friendly and that a change was needed to break up the routine and improve strategy. This change has not yet shown significant results, and Binder's future in MotoGP is uncertain.
With the arrival of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio in the factory team for 2027, and the potential departure of Binder, the KTM fold may not include Binder as a test rider. His experience and race fitness are attractive options, but the removal of wildcard rides for 2027 means that his only hopes of racing would be as an injury stand-in. As we return to Brno and the Czech Grand Prix, it's hard to believe that this is the situation Binder finds himself in six years on from a win that should have been the beginning of so much more...
