Brad Binder was one of the protagonists in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix, coming very close to returning to the wins. He crossed the finish line in second place, just behind the winner Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati), but he was penalized one position for exceeding track limits on the last lap, ultimately being classified in third.
In a press conference, the South African rider stated that he was particularly motivated before the race: ‘I woke up and I watched South Africa has won the [Rugby] World Cup, so I was feeling a little win-or-bust. And gave my absolute best, I must be honest’.
The winner turned out to be Martín after an intense battle until the last lap, and Binder acknowledged the great work of his rival: ‘Jorge did an unreal job. I tried my best to stay behind and really maintain the tyre and I did exactly that. But in the second I passed him, I had like a drop. It was tricky, honestly, On the last lap I said: «OK, I’m so super, super close, I can put my wheel there and make it happen»’.
The #33 couldn’t make the move work and even lost the position due to the penalty, but he assured that he is satisfied: ‘Going through [turn] four I was a little hotter than the lap before and I had a little wash on the front, went wide and I touched the green. It’s never cool to lose a spot, but at the end of the day I’m still on the podium and gave it my all, so I can’t really complain’.