KTM rider Brad Binder talks about the influence of newcomer Francesco Guidotti and reveals why he is more confident than ever with the RC16 this season
Francesco Guidotti has not been part of the KTM factory team in MotoGP for too long. But together they have already been able to celebrate successes worth seeing. Brad Binder started the young season with a podium finish at KTM. Miguel Oliveira won the subsequent Indonesian Grand Prix.
Even though only four race weekends together under Guidotti as the new team manager are behind him, Binder already recognises a positive effect. “Francesco is an amazing guy,” he says of the new recruit, who was previously with Pramac.
“He’s a really friendly person and brings such a positive energy to the team. I think he’s a very serious person on one side, but on the other side he makes personal connections with everyone in the team. I think he definitely brings a lot of benefit to us and it’s a pleasure to have him on the team,” said Binder, describing Guidotti’s arrival at KTM.
Binder: “Feel at home with KTM “
For himself, the Austrian manufacturer has long since become a kind of home. “I’ve been riding for KTM since 2015 and we’ve won a world championship together, fought for one in Moto2 and narrowly missed it.”
“In MotoGP I got my first win with KTM and of course their first win. I feel really at home with KTM. I love the life here and that we have the same goal, which is to win the championship one day. “
This is still some way off, but Binder is happy with the start to the 2022 season. “Yeah, I’m really happy with how it went in Qatar. I felt strong straight away and was able to finish second. So a podium to start the season was great,” he looked back.
What is possible in Europe for KTM?
“In Indonesia it was also very good. We were strong all weekend. I had my best qualifying in MotoGP. Unfortunately there were small problems in the race but we still managed to finish eighth – so a really good result for us, especially in wet conditions. “
After a sixth-place finish in Argentina, things went mixed last race weekend in Austin. But Binder is convinced he can still be strong at many tracks. “Usually the first race is always a bit difficult for me,” he recalls. “And once I get back to Europe, I start to improve or get into the swing of things. “
After the early successes celebrated this season, everyone in the team is now even more motivated to keep improving,” asserts the 26-year-old. “I’m very happy with the hard work KTM have done in pre-season and they have given us a really competitive package. “
Binder sees RC16 as “a solid base “
Talking about this year’s KTM RC16, Binder sees a slightly different approach compared to previous years: “We’re just working a bit more closely on what we need, rather than trying new things all the time.”
“I think we have already done a good job and found a solid base to work with on most tracks. But of course we need to go back to Europe and a few other tracks to confirm that it’s really better. But my general feeling is that I am now able to be faster than last year, especially over one lap. “
