• A new documentary on Brad Binder's career will air today.
• Binder joined MotoGP in 2020.
• He won the Czech Grand Prix after a stellar ride.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
In 2009, Brad Binder packed his bags and moved to Europe, where he set about pursuing a career as a motorbike rider. It was not an easy thing to do, especially at such a young age. He left his family and friends - everything that's familiar to him - behind and started anew.
Today, though, 5 November 2020, a documentary on Binder's journey will be released, showing the journey he's come on since leaving South Africa behind.
Brad Binder (Red Bull Content Pool)
Do you think Brad Binder will be able to challenge for the MotoGP championship in the near future? Email us with your thoughts.
Binder's rise
Binder started his career with Red Bull, riding for the energy drink company's Young Rider program. He performed exceptionally well and in 2011, participated in both it and Moto3 - the lower tier after Moto2 and MotoGP. In 2012 he switched to Moto3 full-time, followed by a jump to Moto2.
In 2016, he won the Moto2 championship with memorable races to his name, becoming the first South African since Jon Ekerold (1980, 350cc champion) to win a championship. In 2020, Binder made the move to MotoGP, driving for the KTM factory team. He returned the team's trust by winning the Czech Grand Prix.
Since the win, Binder's performance has been a bit up and down and finishing races in low-scoring positions. Yet, the team is not putting extra pressure on him but are instead supporting him to better understand his iron steed to maximise race results.
The South African rider has shown throughout his career that he has what it takes to make it in motorbike racing's top tier and has excelled in every series he performed in leading up to it. With his KTM team on the up and showing vast signs of improvement on the bike, Binder should not be discounted for challenging for the MotoGP championship within the next season or two.
Until that happens, we have the documentary to remind us just what a talent our Brad Binder is.