Brad Binder overcomes stiff neck in Portuguese GP: ‘I was suffering a lot’ | Sport

• Brad Binder finished the first race of the 2023 MotoGP season in sixth place.
• Binder battled through neck and shoulder stiffness, having qualified 15th.
• MotoGP also introduced a new ‘Sprint Race’ format that followed qualifying.

Brad Binder overcame a niggling neck injury to register an outstanding result in the opening round of the 2023 MotoGP season. The South African finished the race in a commendable sixth place, qualifying in 15th place and starting the race in 12th.

The Portuguese Grand Prix, staged at the Algarve International Circuit, saw Binder battle through qualifying with a stiff neck and shoulders. Still, ever the impressive rider, he pushed through, once again garnering the appraisal of the MotoGP fraternity and his team.

Reflecting on Sunday’s race, Binder said: “[Yesterday] was pretty good. It has been a hard weekend because it was very tough for me to get comfortable on the bike.

“I was suffering a lot, but my team made a big step forward with my RC16, and I was much more confident in the end. The last five laps were really demanding physically, but the step forwards we made were very satisfying, and I’m hoping for more in Argentina.

“I just need to figure out how to be 100% fit there.”

The first ‘sprint’

MotoGP introduced its first-ever Sprint Race at the Portuguese GP. Following qualifying, the riders lined up for the 12-lap race, with the final result determining the starting grid for the race.

Battling his stiff neck and shoulders, Binder duelled until the end to make it into the Top 10, but had to settle for 12th – the position he’d start the race in.

“The Sprint was a lot of fun. It was pretty wild, and I was hung out to dry by other riders on the first lap, and that cost me a lot of time,” Binder said.

“This weekend hasn’t been easy for me so far, but I know what I need to do: I have to get fit again because I have been really struggling with my neck and shoulder on the bike.”

READ: Bagnaia wins MotoGP opener in Portugal, Binder bounces back to finish sixth

In the race, Binder and his Red Bull KTM teammate, Jack Miller, had their work cut out. The South African managed to climb up the order, finishing sixth. Miller, on the other hand, started the race in fourth position, but dropped to seventh when the chequered flag dropped.

The next race is the Argentinian GP this coming weekend, 31 March – 2 April.