Brad Binder eyes strong start to rebuild momentum in 2026 MotoGP

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder has identified the early races of the 2026 MotoGP season as key to rebuilding momentum after a difficult 2025 campaign.

The South African heads into the final year of his contract with KTM determined to raise his level after a challenging season for both rider and team. 

While Binder’s time with the Austrian manufacturer has produced memorable highlights in recent years, last season exposed several areas requiring improvement, making the upcoming campaign one to watch.

KTM endured a frustrating campaign, finishing fourth in the teams’ standings — a massive 373 points adrift of the dominant Ducati factory outfit. 

A persistent lack of race pace, coupled with inconsistent qualifying performances, left Binder fighting from behind far too often and ultimately defined the rhythm of his season.

Early pre-season testing, however, has offered encouragement. Binder confirmed that the team has worked hard to provide him with an improved competitive bike, giving him the chance to deliver more consistent performances and close the gaps identified last year.

“I really want to do my absolute best, especially in the first five to eight races of the year,” Binder said ahead of the start of the season.

“Those races will be important purely to put yourself out there and see what is available going forward.

“This year I want to perform. I really don’t enjoy life at the back of the grid, and my goal is to put my best foot forward, whether it will be waking up early in the morning and training or stretching at night.

“Whatever I do, I will do my utmost best, and if I can do everything to the best of my ability, I know results will come.”

Since making his MotoGP debut in 2020 — winning his first race in just the third at the Czech Grand Prix — Binder has shown that he can compete with the best riders in the class. The upcoming season presents an opportunity for the 30-year-old to re-establish himself among the front-runners.

With his contract entering its final year, Binder acknowledged the importance of returning to a competitive level and rediscovering the enjoyment that comes with fighting at the front.

“I have been in a really good situation the last few years where I have been on a really long-term contract with KTM; I signed a four-year deal.

“I really want to continue my career in MotoGP; however, I really want to be competitive again because I was not having much fun with where I was last season. So my goal is to find my way back to the front.”

The KTM rider also reflected on the mental side of last season, admitting that he may have overthought certain aspects of his riding during difficult moments.

“One of the changes I want to bring into this season is that I have been working really hard just to be free. I really felt like when I was riding my bike, I was doing a lot of thinking more than anything.

“I was trying to say, ‘OK, here I brake a little bit later, lift the bike a bit better, do this, do that,’ instead of letting things come naturally. I think that made things a little bit more complicated for me. The more I just ride the bike, the better things seem to be.”

Binder praised teammate Pedro Acosta for his impressive debut season with the KTM factory team, highlighting the lessons he learned from the young Spaniard.

“Pedro is a super talented new kid. I knew from the beginning in MotoGP that he was something really special and he was incredibly fast. I learned a lot from him, especially last season.

“When things were incredibly difficult, he was always able to find that last little bit, and that is definitely something that I strive to figure out myself.”