Big steps forward for Brad as Qatar testing gets underway

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider Brad Binder and teammate Miguel Oliveira were finally able to ride their intermediate class machines at the Losail circuit on Saturday night.

After rainy weather on Friday night caught the paddock by surprise, causing the suspension of testing at the Losail International Circuit, the intermediate class riders finally got the chance to ride at the Qatari track on Saturday.

The riders and teams got straight to work, with only two nights in which to finalise their preparations for the opening round of the season instead of the planned two. The weather was back to normal, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo team were able to put in their first laps at the circuit with their Moto2 bike. Brad placed 21st.

Brad was one of the riders to complete the most laps on the first 60 minutes of the test, with 28. The Moto2 rookie improved his best time in each of the three sessions, and on his last lap made a big step forward with a 2:01.814 time -breaking into the 2:02s for the first time.
Preseason testing for 2017 concludes tomorrow night, ahead of the Qatar GP next weekend.

#41 Brad Binder
“This first night of testing in Qatar has not been bad for us. At first, it was positive to be able to ride on a different circuit after six consecutive days in Jerez, but later, I realised that it was like starting from scratch -having to work on aspects that we had already improved in the last few tests. However, as the laps went by I was able to feel more comfortable riding, and took a big step forward in the last stint that we had, so that’s positive. We still have work ahead of us, so we must continue in this way, working non-stop to get faster and move up positions in the timesheets ahead of the GP.”

Source: Ajo Motorsport