Brad Binder’s race day at Misano was cut short after an early crash, leaving the MotoGP rider frustrated but undeterred. In a candid debrief, Binder explained what went wrong and how he plans to bounce back next week.
“My race was short, at least the good part of it,” Binder said, reflecting on his early exit. “In the warm-up, we tried something a little bit different just to find some extra speed because yesterday I just got blown out the back too early. We tried to do something to be a bit more competitive, and my goal today was to try and go at the boys early on.”
Binder started the race with aggression but was mindful of staying clean in the opening laps. However, a critical error in Turn 4 derailed his efforts. “I was carrying a couple of k’s power extra than I did in the competitive sprint yesterday, and unfortunately, as I cracked the gas, I just washed the front. I didn’t really expect it, to be honest, but it is what it is. Sh*t happens.”
Despite the setback, Binder chose to continue the race, albeit with significant damage. “After that, I just kept doing laps with all my aero broken on one side, so it really wasn’t very fun. But I kept lapping because, obviously, in racing, you never know what can happen.”
One of the key challenges Binder faced previously was getting his tires up to temperature, an issue that seemed resolved on race day. “Yesterday, I was having problems getting my tire up to temperature, but today was much better. We went with a different approach—I put in the race front tire before the grid, scrubbed it in before the sighting lap, and it seemed to work much better. It felt a lot better, maybe a little too good too soon, considering how I finished the first flyer.”
Reflecting on the overall performance, Binder noted that there were improvements compared to previous races. “We made a step compared to the last Misano. Lap time-wise, especially pace and rhythm, we made a positive step forward. So that is good, but for sure, we still have a long way to go.”
Binder also addressed ongoing vibration issues that have plagued riders, explaining that it’s a common problem for everyone. “There are massive vibrations for everybody. It’s hectic—we have a lot of hopping and chatter on the rear. It’s not something that some of us have and others don’t; it’s just part of the deal.”
Looking ahead to the next race in Indonesia, Binder was unsure what to expect, given the unpredictable conditions. “In Indonesia, we use this tyre that’s a piece of wood, so the grip is shocking. I think the chatter comes with the grip, so hopefully, we have none.”
As Binder prepares for the next race, his resilience and determination to improve remain clear. “It is what it is. Sh*t happens. Try again next week,” he concluded, eager to move forward from a challenging weekend.
Despite the ups and downs, Binder’s resolve is unwavering, and he’ll be back on the hunt for better results as the MotoGP season continues.