MotoGP: Brad Binder and KTM become Grand Prix winners at Brno

Brad Binder showcased why fans and pundits are raving about him by taking his maiden MotoGP victory at Brno.

The South African becomes the first rookie to win in MotoGP since Marc Marquez in 2013, and he did so at only the third attempt. Binder crossed the line +5.266s clear of the field after picking off the leading pack one by one after a fast start.

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Binder took the lead of the race away from Franco Morbidelli, who had opened up a comfortable lead in the early stages. Although he was unable to fend off Binder, Morbidelli still had the pace to secure his maiden MotoGP podium. 

Johann Zarco completed the podium despite having to take a long lap penalty following a clash with Pol Espargaro. Whilst fighting for third heading into turn one, Espargaro went wide and as he tried to return to the inside, Zarco was already there and they hit each other. Espargaro would crash out of the race as a result. 

The Frenchman took his penalty at turn seven but remarkably he didn’t lose any places after taking the long route in style. His tyres were literally within the white lines by a few millimetres, with his knee sliding along the tarmac. It’s his first podium for Ducati, and his first since Jerez in 2018. 

Alex Rins took a remarkable fourth despite still suffering from the shoulder injury he sustained during qualifying at the Spanish GP. A few more laps and Rins may have been able to snatch the final podium spot away from Zarco, who was beginning to struggle with his rear tyre. 

Valentino Rossi produced another magical Sunday performance to finish fifth, fighting his way through from 10th on the grid. Miguel Oliveira took his best-ever MotoGP finish in sixth for the Tech3 KTM team.

Championship leader Fabio Quartararo struggled throughout the race, falling down the pack to end the race in seventh. Takaaki Nakagami, Jack Miller and Aleix Espargaro completed the top 10.

Andrea Dovizioso was 11th after a shocking Saturday saw him start the race from 18th on the grid, whilst his factory Ducati teammate Danilo Petrucci was 12th. The Italian manufacturer have some work to do ahead of the Red Bull Ring this weekend. 

Cal Crutchlow was 13th as he continues his comeback from a broken left scaphoid, ahead of Maverick Vinales on the second Monster Energy Yamaha. Iker Lecuona lost the front and wiped Joan Mir out of the race in the early stages. 

Despite a slightly disappointing day, Quartararo still has a 17-point advantage over Vinales in the standings. Morbidelli and Dovizoso are both 28 points behind the Petronas Yamaha rider.