Binder extends championship lead with Le Mans win

Brad Binder has extended his lead in the Moto3 championship after measuring up his opponents in the closing stages of the race at Le Mans to control a four-bike battle to the flag.

Binder was one of the race’s early leaders, breaking away from the pack with Romano Fenati, Jorge Navarro and Aron Canet – and setting up an eight-wheeled fight to the chequered flag.

However, making a strong move on the penultimate lap at turn eleven, Binder was able to make the most of a defensive line on the last lap, aided by a mistake from rookie Canet that dropped him off the podium in the final turns.

Nicolo Bulega also had a strong race for fifth, coming through the field after a difficult qualifuing compounded by an injured wrist. He held off Fabio Quartararo, Migno and pole man Antonelli for the spot.

Scotsman John McPhee rode a race of attrition from 25^th to 20^th, only losing out on 19^th in the final stages of the race to teammate Alex Masbou.