DNF for Brad in Sunday’s #GermanGP at the Sachsenring
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing sought to send their MotoGP opposition into a spin through the ceaseless corners of the Sachsenring as Brad Binder and teammate Jack Miller aimed for podium presence at the Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, although Brad sadly came away from the seventh round of twenty empty-handed after a fall from 3rd position.
Each day of the German Grand Prix had been affected by rain showers and a 3.6km racetrack that moved from wet to dry conditions. Sunday, and the second fixture of three back-to-back races, produced warm, summer weather, and the German fans packed the stands and banking around the Sachsenring course.
Jack and Brad both made customary strong starts from 3rd and 9th places on the grid respectively. The short Sachsenring layout meant a 30-lap distance and where tire preservation would be key to consistent pace. Brad fought his way to 3rd and had a 3.7 second margin to 2nd when he lost traction momentarily in Turn 9, ran off the track and fell into the gravel. Jack persisted and reached the checkered flag in 6th.
The championship standings still make for some positive reading for the factory crew: Brad is 5th in the table, KTM are the second-best Constructor and the crew lie 4th from 11 in the Teams rankings.
Without lifting a finger from the brake, MotoGP makes the relatively short trip to the north of the Netherlands where the TT Circuit Assen will welcome another vast attendance and bring the series to round eight before the summer break.
Brad Binder
“I had quite a good start and things were going well. My guys did a great job with the bike and I felt amazing. I was riding very clean and saving my tire. I could not run the pace of the first two guys but I was set in 3rd. Unfortunately, when I grabbed the front brake at the bottom of the hill I locked the front wheel a little bit and my left foot slipped off the footpeg. I was then going wide and off the track. I kept the lean angle but when I came to pick it up, the rear let go on me and I ended up crashing. Disappointing because I know I could have at least fought for a podium and the team deserved it. Thanks to the guys for all their hard work. Let’s give it a go next week.”