His first win, South Africa’s first lightweight class win and an extended championship lead and all from dead last on the grid.
Twice in his career Marc Marquez came from the back of the grid to take victory, the first in the 125cc race in Estroil 2010 showed the world just how talented he was. The second in 2012 Moto2 race in Valencia proved he’d be a star. Now Brad Binder has joined Marquez in doing the seemingly impossible and winning from the back of the grid and making it look almost easy. The South African was sent back to 35th on the grid as it was revealed his KTM had used non-homologated ECU software in Qualifying, a disastrous start to the day for the title leader who had been a favourite to take a career first win. Racing commenced and everyone thought it would be a case of damage limitation as the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider scythed his way through slower riders. By the third lap he was in the points, but the leading trio were gone, surely he couldn’t pass another ten riders and then close and ever growing gap?
What followed was a master class in riding a Moto3 World Championship KTM on the limit, Binder taking positions at every corner until he was fourth on lap eight. With clear track ahead of him he closed in on the leaders, the impossible was happening, he was in the fight for victory having started from last. But he wouldn’t just fight; he’d dominate and run away with the race. Binder would eventually cross the line an incredible three seconds ahead of second place. It’s a very special moment when a rider takes their first win, but doing so from 35th on the grid is something that Binder and fans will remember for a long time to come. In Estoril Marquez started last in 28th, in Valencia he started last in 33rd, those were impressive rides but Binder did it from even further back in 35th and won by three seconds. Binder’s win also makes him the first ever South African to win a race in the lightweight championship. He leaves Spain with a 15-point lead over Jorge Navarro.
Source: motogp.com
