Famous Brad Binder! KTM machine dominated the MotoGP Sprint in Argentina from the last row at the start

The second ever MotoGP sprint race produced an incredible spectacle. From 15th place and the last row on the grid, Brad Binder outsprinted all his rivals to win the taster race for Sunday’s Grand Prix. He was joined on the podium by Mooney VR46 riders Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini.

MotoGP, the most prestigious class of the World Road Motorcycle Championship, had its second sprint race in Argentina on Saturday. After injuries to four riders, including eight-time champion Marc Márquez, only 18 riders took to the grid. The same will be true for the main race.

Álex Márquez of the Gresini Racing team took pole position for the first time in his career. However, after the lights went out, Franco Morbidelli on the factory Yamaha made a rocketing move and took the sprint lead during the first circuit.

Who shocked after the start was Brad Binder on the KTM. From fifteenth place at the start, he squeezed through the first corners of the race to fourth position with incredible feeling.

Even on the first lap, Mooney VR46 Racing Team teammates Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini collided slightly. The former lost a couple of positions as a result, which helped Binder immensely in his advance to the front. Meanwhile, Joan Mir, the only factory Honda representative, crashed at turn six.

After a hectic first lap, the race was relatively calm. Still, the field of riders was not breaking up. Binder threw all the predictions of the fans and experts out the window when he took the lead in Saturday’s sprint on lap three.

This despite the fact that the KTM machines confirmed their practice form in qualifying with a last-row start! What’s more, the South African showed such speed that he managed to earn a few tenths of a second advantage over his rivals.

This lead ultimately decided the outcome as Bezzecchi was unable to overpower Binder at the very end. The 27-year-old Potchefstroom native won by 72 thousandths of a second in the second sprint of this MotoGP season. Marini finished third ahead of a pleasant surprise in Morbidelli.

Fifth place went to Márquez, who like today will start from pole position on Sunday. On the other hand, the dominant Francesco Bagnaia from the VC of Portugal had to settle for sixth place this time compared to the sprint in Portimao.

Results of the MotoGP sprint at the Argentine Grand Prix (12 laps = 57.6 km; top 10 only):

1. Brad Binder (RJA, KTM) 19::56.873
2. Marco Bezzecchi (Ita., Ducati) +0.072
3. Luca Marini (Ita., Ducati) +0.877
4. Franco Morbidelli (Ita., Yamaha) +2.354
5. Álex Márquez (Span., Ducati) +2.462
6. Francesco Bagnaia (Ita., Ducati) +2.537
7. Maverick Viñales (Span., Aprilia) +2.643
8. Jorge Martín (Span., Ducati) +3.754
9. Fabio Quartararo (Fra., Yamaha) +3.856
10. Jack Miller (Aus., KTM) +5.143

2023 MotoGP rider standings (top 10 only):

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ita., Ducati) 41
2. Maverick Viñales (Sp., Aprilia) 28
3. Marco Bezzecchi (Ita., Ducati) 25
4. Brad Binder (RJA, KTM) 22
5. Álex Márquez (Span., Ducati) 17
6. Johann Zarco (Fra., Ducati) 15
7. Jack Miller (Aus., KTM) 15
8. Jorge Martín (Span., Ducati) 11
9. Aleix Espargaró (Span., Aprilia) 11
10. Fabio Quartararo (Fra., Yamaha) 9

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