Brad happy as productive test closes 2024

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The future met the present as the 2025 MotoGP line-ups for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 took to a sunny Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Tuesday for final testing duties in 2024 and for the first steps towards next season.

Brad Binder was joined by Pedro Acosta and overseen by new Team Manager Aki Ajo at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, while the Red Bull KTM Tech3 crew welcomed riders Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales for their initial laps with the KTM RC16.

The Catalan layout provided near perfect testing conditions with decent temperatures, blues skies and little wind for the first acclimatization outing ahead of the winter break and with a view to the workload for the 2025 championship. The teams and riders only had Monday free from riding in the wake of the Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona but the technical staff were busy changing parts, components and graphics for the session that lasted from 10-17.00.

Brad and Acosta totaled 134 laps with the South African clocking the 6th best effort. 0.7 from the top, and the Spaniard was 9th. They tried electronics settings and aerodynamic parts as well as other refinements. Viñales shone in 12th after lapping 74 times while Bastianini managed 55 and was 16th fastest as they began the adaption process to maximize the big potential of the KTM RC16.

The race teams can now lower the pace but the development cycle continues. MotoGP will officially get quick again at the Sepang International Circuit on 5-7 February 2025.

Brad Binder
6th:

“We had a productive test plan and got through all of it. No mishaps and everything worked well. The main goal was to get as much information as we could and I think we got the mission accomplished. I think a lot of what we tried today is just the beginning to try and push the project forward for next season.”