Binder upbeat ahead of MotoPG debut season
South African MotoGP rider Brad Binder is back in Europe following the lockdown and working hard as he prepares for the start of the 2020 MotoGP season that is set to get underway in Spain on 19 July.
The 24 year-old will take part in his first season in MotoGP this year and has had a long wait to make his debut in the class following a number of strong seasons in the classes below. He will be racing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the upcoming season.
Following the hard lockdown Binder has managed to get himself out of the country as he prepares for his first season in the premier class.
“It was definitely really challenging to try and get out of South Africa at the beginning,” Binder said.
“Luckily they brought out the law saying if you need to return overseas for work, you are allowed to leave, so that’s pretty much how I managed to get back overseas and I’ve been in Europe now for around a month already and it’s time to get back into racing.”
The lockdown was a difficult time for all in South Africa and played havoc with the training regimes of elite athletes. Binder tried to maintain as close to a normal routine as he possibly could during the hard lockdown.
“It was quite tough during the lockdown to keep a good structure you know because when there’s not many things you can do during the day and you can’t really leave the house, it gets challenging.
“So I just really tried to focus on making sure I did my training to my absolute best and that was all I was really worried about during lockdown, but now since I’ve been back in Europe, things are basically back to normal here.
“I go to gym, I spent a good three weeks at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center and that was awesome, and pretty much getting everything back to where it needs to be to start the season off the in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Binder’s first push in MotoGP has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic but the former Moto3 and Moto2 champion is feeling comfortable in the saddle.
“I’ve already had a MotoGP test in Misano, which was really good.
“It’s great to be back on the bike after such a long time off and looking forward to getting started,” he added excitedly.
Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Spain with the Gran Premio Red Bull de España on July 19th and the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucía on July 26th will host race one and two of the new season before a week’s break.
