Brad Binder will remain with KTM’s MotoGP outfit until at least the end of the 2026 campaign having agreed a two-year extension with the Austrian marque.
The South African was already under contract for 2024 with KTM anyway, the two parties electing to further extend the deal following a successful ’23 campaign so far which sees Binder currently fourth in the overall riders standings having scored two rostrum results as well as a sprint race win at Jerez.
Binder says his keenness to be continually involved in KTM’s “incredible program” was the main reason for his decision to further extend his deal with the brand, the two-time premier class winner adding that the organisation is “very close” to achieving ultimate supremacy in MotoGP.
“A massive thank you to KTM and the management for trusting in me and for letting me be involved in this incredible program for a few more years,” said Binder on his new deal.
“We are coming very close to what we want to achieve on the track but I cannot say enough good things about the team and my crew.
“2015 and those first KTM races feel like a long time ago! But also time passes quickly and we’ve made some special memories, and I know there is a lot more to come and cannot wait to build those stories.”
KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer added that keeping Binder within KTM’s premier class project was a “big priority” for the manufacturer.
“Keeping Brad at the sharp point of our MotoGP program was a big priority for us,” said Beirer.
“We love everything about this guy: he is an all-out racer and leaves everything on the track.
“We’ve already achieved and experienced so much together, and it makes us very proud that he wants to continue on our RC16 and stay in orange.
“We couldn’t be happier to put that #33 bike in the box for a few more years to come.”
Binder first joined KTM in the Moto3 class back in 2015, a solid first year leading into a commanding championship charge the following term that saw him claim the title off the back of seven victories across the year.
A three-year stay in the Moto2 series then followed with KTM affiliate squad Ajo Motorsport, Binder recording a total of eight wins in the class with a best championship result of second in 2019 prior to making his premier class bow with KTM in the Covid-19-shortened 2020 campaign.
Success came quickly for the partnership as Binder secured his maiden MotoGP race win at Brno that same season, with a second coming in KTM’s home event at the Red Bull Ring in ’21 courtesy of a gamble to stay out on a wet track in dry tyres as his competition boxed for wets.
