Aside from being 1.15 seconds behind the leader, Red Bull KTM star Brad Binder had well-known concerns on the first day of MotoGP testing in the Portuguese Algarve. The grip of the rear wheel also leaves a lot to be desired on the demanding “Autodromo Internacional do Algarve”.
“It actually didn’t start that badly. But the feeling was pretty much the same as the first day in Valencia when I rode this bike. Some things were good, but we have the problem with the grip on the rear wheel. When we brake, we don’t have much contact with the asphalt,” Binder describes the situation.
The 27-year-old 2016 Moto3 World Champion outlines: «It is a problem that has been very difficult to solve so far. But it was an important day. We found a few aspects that help a bit. That gives good information so that we can take a step forward. We gave the engineers some ideas on how we can solve things better.”
But Binder also points out: “It’s a bit tricky at the moment. The guys did a great job on some areas that we wanted to improve. The new bike is now more manageable and steers more easily. But that came at the expense of rear grip. There is a lack of grip on the rear tire, which is preventing us from really fast lap times at the moment. »
Binder describes the driving experience as follows: “We lack the natural grip of the rear tire. The rear immediately pushes sideways forward. If you step on the gas followingwards, the bike is already pretty much sliding. The motorcycle then does not stand up as desired when accelerating and makes this click.”
“It’s very clear to us,” Brad said. “If we might get the problem under control, it would actually be a massive improvement. I think it’s not a weight distribution issue, I’m more craving mechanical grip.”
The outlook towards the MotoGP start on 25./26. Binder describes March in the Algarve as follows: “The boys work hard. We drivers all crave the same things. I’m just the rider… I’ll get on the bike anyway and do my best. The problem with the lack of grip was there in Valencia, it hit us in Sepang – and it’s there too.”
Results Portimão test, Saturday (11.3.):
1. Bagnaia, Ducati, 1:38.771 min
2. Marini, Ducati, + 0.234 sec
3. Vinales, Aprilia, +0.254
4. Alex Márquez, Ducati, + 0,565
5. Raul Fernandez, Aprilia, +0.689
6. Oliveira, Aprilia, + 0.695
7. Bezzecchi, Ducati, +0.837
8. Quartararo, Yamaha, + 0,843
9. Di Giannantonio, Ducati, +0.870
10. Martin, Ducati, +0.872
11. Kidneys, Honda, + 0.875
12. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 0.877
13. Zarco, Ducati, +0.945
14. Mir, Honda, +1.005
15. Brad Binder, KTM, + 1,152
16. Miller, KTM, + 1,216
17. Bastianini, Ducati, +1.238
18. Bradl, Honda, +1,391
19. Marc Marquez, Honda, +1,399
20. Pirro, Ducati, + 1,565
21. Morbidelli, Yamaha, +1,643
22. Pol Espargaro, GASGAS, +1,736
23. Nakagami, Honda, +1,871
24. Augusto Fernández, GASGAS, + 2,000
