03.04.2016

Brad Binder takes third in dramatic Moto3 in Argentina

2nd Rd. Moto3 2016 – Termas de Río Hondo (ARG)

Brad Binder & Andrea Locatelli KTM RC250 GP Termas de Río Hondo 2016 © Focus Pollution KTM Media Library

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Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder picked up a podium third in the final minutes of a tense 21-lap Moto3 race on the Termas de Río Rondo circuit in Argentina on Sunday. The race, the second round of the Moto3 World Championship was won in spectacular style by a Malaysia rookie Khairul Idham Pawi, who took full advantage of the difficult and quickly changing weather conditions. Spanish rider Jorge Navarro was second.

Brad Binder, who qualified on pole in very different weather to that of race day advanced into third place on the KTM RC250 GP when another young Malaysian rider, Adam Norrodin, crashed in the final stages of the last lap while making a move on second-placed Navarro that didn’t quite pay off. The South African KTM rider, who had been fighting for the lead in the following group then moved up to third.

Downpours of rain had drenched the track earlier in the day, and marshals worked to clear standing water from the surface prior to the start. But with wet patches still visible, riders and teams struggled on the grid to decide whether to gamble on wet weather tires or slicks. In the end, while tire choice and bike settings were important, it was a rider used to riding in tropical rain who was able to make the best of it.

Following Binder across the line were two other KTM riders, Andrea Locatelli of Italy and Spain’s Joan Mir but many of the usual leaders in the class struggled under the conditions.

Binder admitted after the race that team manager Aki Ajo had cautioned him before the race not to throw away valuable world championship points. “I was a bit too careful at the beginning but pushed more in the middle of the race and tried to stay focused.” His careful approach however ensures he goes to round three as the championship leader.

Binder’s teammate, the young Dutch rider Bo Bendsneyder, who came into the team as 2015 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup winner, finished the race in 22nd place but was in good company. Riders who usually find themselves in the top 10 were also back in this group.

Next Race: April 10, 2016 – Circuit Of The Americas (USA)

Results Moto3 Termas de Río Hondo 2016
1. Khairul Idham Pawi (MAL), Honda, 41:35.452 min (21 laps)
2. Jorge Navarro (ESP), Honda, +26.170 sec
3. Brad Binder (RSA), KTM, +30.060
4. Andrea Locatelli (ITA), KTM, +30.339
5. Joan Mir (ESP), KTM, +30.506
Other KTM
12. Juanfran Guevara (SPA), KTM, +51.434
13. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), KTM, +57.893
14. Maria Herrera (ESP), KTM, 1:05.983 min
15. Philipp Oettl (GER), KTM, +1:08.426
18. Nicolo Bulega (ITA), KTM, +1:11.791
19. Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG), KTM, +1:12.151
20. Romano Fenati (ITA), KTM, +1:12.270
22. Bo Bendsneyder (NED), KTM, +1:12.522
29. Andrea Migno (ITA), KTM, +1:44.035

Standings Moto3 2016 after 2 of 18 rounds
1. Binder, 36 points
2. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA), Honda, 31
3. Navarro, 29
4. Pawi, 25
5. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA), Mahindra, 16
Other KTM
6. Mir, 15
7. Fenati, 13
9. Locatelli, 13
11. Bulega, 10
15. Oettl, 8
17. Quartararo, 6
20. Guevara, 4
21. Bendsneyder, 2
22. Herrera, 2

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