- 2021-08-16
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Austrian: Brad Binder Wins With Slick Tyre Gamble After Late Rain
MotoGP Austrian watched Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) took his second MotoGP victory with slick tyres after a late downpour forced most of the grid to pit for wet tyres at Red Bull Ring.
As the rain came down four laps left, the top five, who were Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Team), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha), Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) and Joan Mir (Suzuki Ecstar), went into the pits to switch to wet tyres. But sixth-placed Brad Binder stayed with slick tyres and moved up to top.
Finally, he kept the 1st position and reached the chequered flag on wet condition. It is his first win since the 2020 Czech Grand Prix.
Francesco Bagnaia finished 2nd and Jorge Martin was 3rd after having switched to wet tyres. Joan Mir was fourth following two Ducati riders. Fabio Quartararo moved down 7th, Marc Marquez crashed on the final lap and finished 15th.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM) was a late crasher, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) falling out of contention on lao 18 and Enea Bastianini (Avintia Ducati) an early retirement after the fairing on his Ducati broke off.
Brad Binder said, “Sometimes life favours the brave and today it worked. I went to bed last night thinking all I want today is a podium. It's been so long! It's been the longest (stretch of time) in I don't know how many years since I was on the podium. I've been close a few times, had a few fourth places, but haven't been back. To be honest, I was having a horrendous race before I decided to stay out and everyone else came in. The rear tyre was like nothing I've had all weekend. Everytime I tried braking it would just slide everywhere. I'd open the throttle and just wouldn't go forward. I was having a huge struggle out there, but when I saw it starting to rain I closed up onto the front group and was thinking there's just four laps to go. I could see the guys getting ready to go in, because I saw Marc [Marquez] look behind him and I couldn't decide whether I should go or not. I just decided in the last moment when I saw the group pull in to the pits to just try. The first lap was good, but the last two were something else. The last lap the brakes went completely cold and so did the tyres. I really struggled to stay on track. But anyway, sometimes you have to take the gamble and today it worked. I'm super happy about that. I remember my brother (Darryn Binder) telling me that he was impressed with how much grip there was in the wet with slicks, so I think that had something to do with it [laughs]. But you know what, I would happily have crashed giving it a go. At the end of the day I'm really happy to be here right now.”
Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreic Race Results- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / 40m 43.928s
- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Team / +12.991s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +14.570s
- Joan Mir / Suzuki Ecstar / +15.623s
- Luca Marini / Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati / +17.831s
- Iker Lecuona / KTM Tech3 / +17.952s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +19.650s
- Valentino Rossi / Petronas Yamaha / +20.150s
- Alex Marquez / LCR Honda / +20.692s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Gresini / +21.270s
- Jack Miller / Ducati Team / +28.144s
- Danilo Petrucci / KTM Tech3 / +28.193s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +28.603s
- Alex Rins / Suzuki Ecstar / +33.642s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda / +38.459s
- Pol Espargaro / Repsol Honda / +43.384s
- Cal Crutchlow / Petronas Yamaha / +55.950s
- source : MotoGP
