2022 couldn’t have started much better for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with both Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira earning podiums in the first two races. Binder claimed P2 in Qatar while Oliveira produced a wet weather masterclass in Mandalika to pick up his fourth premier class win. But it could have been even better for the Austrian factory in Indonesia.
After the race, Binder revealed that he’d completed the 20 lap race with his rear ride height device down. Starting from P4, there were high hopes for a second consecutive podium for the South African in either the wet or dry conditions, but the issues faced meant that wasn’t possible.
However, Binder reveals that finishing P8 was “like a win” considering the challenges, and the rain was a blessing in disguise – having the rear ride height device issues in the dry would have been a disaster.
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"I COULDN'T HAVE HOPED FOR A BETTER START" - GUIDOTTI
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RACE RECAP: OLIVEIRA MASTERS THE MANDALIKA MADNESS
“I’m really disappointed because I felt really good all weekend, especially on the wet tyres,” said Binder. “After the start my ride height device, something happened, I don’t know what. Every time I braked it would come up. I’d turn, let go of the brake and it would drop down again. I did the whole race with the ride height device completely down. Considering I finished 8th I think it’s a win.
This video. On repeat. ????
— KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) March 22, 2022
Don't mind us, we're just rewatching @_moliveira88's extraordinary wet race victory in Mandalika for approximately the 88th time. What an absolute masterclass! #KTM #ReadyToRace #GivesYouWings @MotoGP #IndonesianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZLFG2cyeTj
“If it was a dry race I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. Because of the circumstances today, we got really lucky and managed to finish in 8th place. In general I’m happy. I managed to bring the bike home, which was really difficult. It doesn’t turn when the ride height device is down. It was really difficult. In general to come back in 8th is great. We need to figure out what happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
While Oliveira strolled home to a commanding, comfortable victory, the fight for the final top 10 places was anything but comfortable. And in the battle was both Binder’s, with rookie Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) arguably producing ride of the day. Elder brother Brad eventually got the better of Darryn, but for the latter to be mixing it with the likes of his brother, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), World Championship leader Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and more, in his first MotoGP™ wet race, was nothing short of sensational.
“I was so happy when my brother came past. I was sitting behind Marini, just trying to survive and get through the race without crashing,” continued Binder. “When this whole group arrived and started fighting, I thought, ‘OK, I’ve come this far and I’m not going to not get points!’ I tried my best with what I had. But it was so cool to see my brother. He was riding so well in these conditions. I am super proud of him. It’s really cool to see him in the top 10.”
It had the potential to be much better, but P8 is as good as it could have been for Binder given the circumstances. Heading to the Argentina GP, Binder sits second in the overall standings, with KTM looking like a force to be reckoned with again in 2022.