Michael Laverty feels KTM star Brad Binder is the “best we’ve seen in years” during practice for the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix after securing a place in Q2.
binding Michelin has had a tough time since introducing an extremely confusing rear tire midway through the 2024 season. The 30-year-old is fighting for his future on the grid ahead of the 850cc rules era next year due to his regular struggles.
Last season was the worst year of Binder’s MotoGP career, with 155 points to his name, leaving him 11th in the standings. KTM They haven’t seen the best Binder has to offer this time around, with the South African currently in 13th place after five rounds.
Pedro Acosta leads a very tight practice session at the Catalan Grand Prix… Who will join the top 10 in Q2? ⏱️
Michael Laverty is ‘delighted’ as Brad Binder sets pace at Catalan Grand Prix.
in order to, Laverty The KTM rider was “delighted” as Binder excelled around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this Friday before securing an automatic place in Q2. Teammate Pedro Acosta set the pace in practice at the Catalan GP But Binder was 0.070s shy in P3.
Binder had been in practice before posting a personal-best lap time of 1:38.780. The two-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner’s early departure in the flying race put him in danger of falling down the order, but he continued to produce strong times to bring smiles to Laverty.
Read more: The best moments of Brad Binder’s MotoGP career
“I’m happy! We all love Brad,” Laverty said. TNT Sports 2 (15/05, 14:43). “(He’s) sitting in the top five here, we’re going into the last 15 minutes, the time attacks will be more.
But even better than the South African, he’s in touch with Bastianini, linked with a Q2 spot and needs a baby.
Laverty added (14:57): “This is a better Brad Binder Friday. The best we’ve seen in a few years!”
Binder’s place in Q2 at the Catalan GP marks only his second Q2 outing of the 2026 MotoGP season. The KTM rider has not made it to the Q2 session since the opening round in Thailand, qualifying in P11 and finishing the Sprint in P6 and the Grand Prix in P7.
Seventh place at the season-opening Thai GP is Binder’s only top-10 Grand Prix finish to date. The South African will now be hoping to turn his strong pace throughout practice into a strong result this Sunday in the Catalan GP as he fights for his job.
It is believed that now KTM signed Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez For 2027, they move to replace the Ducati-bound Acosta and the potentially stock Binder. Tech3 is likely to remain a satellite KTM team in 2027.It could be Binder’s lifeline in the field.
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