Brad Binder has had a torrid time at KTM in 2025. He is currently having his worst season since stepping up to the premier class in 2020.
The South African rider is sitting 12th in the standings as the summer break nears its end. With just 68 points, Binder is behind Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales, albeit by one point, and is being outperformed by KTM teammate Pedro Acosta.
While the Spaniard has grabbed a podium for the Austrian outfit at Brno, his teammate is yet to finish in the top five in 2025. Neil Hodgson feels ‘sorry’ for Binder as he has noticed that the RC16 ‘feels different’ every time he rides it, which may explain his multitude of accidents.
Only Jack Miller and Joan Mir have crashed more than the South African, as he struggles to get to grips with the bike. He has shown flashes of his quality at some circuits this season, but he has performed miserably at others.
Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty ImagesBrad Binder claims he is ‘useless’ at COTA and would ‘avoid’ it in MotoGP
Binder thought his MotoGP career would ‘look different’ after his maiden win at Brno in 2020. He has only one other race in the premier class since then, coming in Austria the following year.
Brno has been one of the 30-year-old’s favourite tracks to race at, as he named the circuit in his top six when asked by the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com. But there is one circuit that, while Binder likes it, he would ‘avoid’ if he could.
The Circuit of the Americas has not been a strong track for the KTM rider. He has achieved a highest finish of ninth at the track in MotoGP, having crashed out of the 2025 Americas GP.
Binder admits that he is ‘useless’ at COTA when asked for his top six tracks that should stay on the calendar: “The six where I’m fastest would be ideal for me!” he said.
“I don’t think we can do without Mugello, Phillip Island, Assen, Brno, Jerez… And if I had to choose a sixth, I don’t know, I really like the United States circuit, but I’m useless there, so I think I would avoid it.”
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Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty ImagesBrad Binder needs a huge reset as KTM criticise his 2025 performances
Binder has had a ‘frustrating’ season by his own admission. The second half of the year will be critical for the South African as KTM begin to mount pressure on him.
Pit Beirer says KTM are ‘not satisfied at all’ with Binder, but they are working hard to regain his confidence with the bike. All of the manufacturer’s riders have struggled to adapt to the RC16, having gone different routes to find the right balance.
Binder’s crew chief has praised his mentality, stating he can reset and go again like no other rider in MotoGP. A hard reset is what is desperately needed during this break as he looks to improve his form.
Acosta has been outshining him in 2025 and KTM want to see better results. Whether Binder can deliver in the second half of the season is another question.