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Brad Binder Optimistic Ahead of MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix

KTM rider Brad Binder is gearing up for the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix, expressing his intent to make the most of what he describes as a powerful motorcycle. Following his impressive performance in the second practice session in Motegi, where he recorded the fastest time during the day’s only full dry run, Binder’s confidence is palpable. The South African has a history of strong finishes at this venue, having claimed second place in both the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix and last year’s sprint race.

The performance of Binder’s teammate, Tech 3 KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who secured the fourth-fastest time during the same session, adds to the positive outlook for the 2024 race. Binder commented on his experience in practice, stating, “I’m super happy to be quickest. We started off pretty good this morning in the partly damp session. I felt pretty decent on the first few laps already. Everything worked well.”

Despite facing some challenges during the session, including a brake vibration that required him to change his brakes, Binder swiftly adapted. “After that I just needed to try and figure things out a little bit. And then, as soon as I put on the tyres for time attack, I felt really good,” he noted. “Our bike is working really well here on fresh rubber. We’ll try to work on race pace tomorrow and hopefully we can be strong.”

Reflecting on the track’s suitability for the KTM bikes, Binder emphasized the importance of capitalizing on their performance. “It’s clear this track works well for us. It did last year and it did prior to that as well. I plan on taking full advantage,” he stated.

Positive Outlook from Pedro Acosta

Acosta, riding a KTM chassis that Binder previously tested, was also optimistic about the capabilities of his machine. The Spanish rookie, who recently stood on the podium in Indonesia, expressed his belief in the strength of KTM’s bike. He remarked, “KTM always comes here with a strong bike. Brad put the orange machine in parc ferme after the race in 2022.”

When asked if he felt a strong connection with his bike, Acosta confirmed the sentiment. “It really does feel that good,” he stated. “It’s super nice when your bike has the same strong points that you have as a rider.” He highlighted advancements in rear traction and cornering capabilities, stating, “We don’t have many issues with the front. Now we’re improving a lot with the rear traction and turning.”

Acosta’s confidence is further supported by his and Binder’s impressive speed trap results, where they clocked in second and third respectively, with Acosta reaching 314.8 km/h and Binder at 313.9 km/h. Only Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia outpaced them with a top speed of 315.7 km/h.

As the weekend unfolds, both Binder and Acosta will aim to translate their practice success into strong race performances, pushing to contend with the frontrunners in this pivotal MotoGP event.

Source
www.autosport.com