Monday Morning Inspiration: Brad Binder has been crowned the 2016 Moto3 champion after finishing second in a thrilling Aragon race, wrapping up the lightweight class crown with four races still to run.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider arrived at the Spanish venue needing a second place finish to be certain of sealing the title, with a lead of 106 points over nearest rival Enea Bastianini.
And that was the position that Binder took amid a pulsating four-way battle, missing out on a sixth victory of the season by just 0.030s from the Estrella Galicia Honda of Jorge Navarro.
Bastianini and his Gresini Honda teammate Fabio di Giannantonio completed a top four split by just 0.162s.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,”
South Africa has a new world champion – Brad Binder
said Binder, who becomes the first South African to win a Grand Prix motorcycle title in any class since Jon Ekerold in 1980.
“The race was tough, it came down to the final lap. I knew where I had to be and I gave it a try, but I was so terrible in the final corner.
Today we lost the battle, but we won the war, so I’m really happy
Exhilarating Action in Moto3 with Binder 41 in the leadBinder being welcomed by his team, ready with his #1 t-shirt and new bike numberALCANIZ, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 25: Brad Binder of South Africa and Red Bull KTM Ajo celebrates the second place on the podium and becames the 2016 Moto3 World Champion (First South Africa rider) at the end of the moto3 race during the MotoGP of Spain – Race at Motorland Aragon Circuit on September 25, 2016 in Alcaniz, Spain. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
