South Africa’s Brad Binder clinched fifth place in the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit on Sunday. The KTM rider’s result sees him move up to eighth position in the riders’ standings after six outings.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quatararo won the race ahead of Miguel Oliveira and 2020 world champion Joan Mir.
“I’m happy with 5th today, even if I did want more but I had a crazy race. I almost tucked the front on the Sighting Lap, so I was trying to work out the conditions and why I felt different,” the 25-year-old he said on his personal blog.
“I didn’t have a perfect start and then I was cautious on the first three laps. Marc [Marquez] rode into me and my airbag fired which meant I couldn’t move for almost a lap! After that I could finally get into a rhythm and chase the group in front of me although I didn’t quite have the pace to get through it. Anyway, I’m pleased with another top five and we’ll try to keep this momentum for the next races.”
The Potchefstroom-born rider recorded the equaled the top speed ever recorded, a staggering 362,4 km/h during the qualifying session on Saturday. Frenchman Johan Zarco held the record since earlier this season when he achieved it in Qatar.
362.4 km/h from @BradBinder_41! 😳
The KTM rider equals @JohannZarco1‘s all-time #MotoGP top speed record! 🔥#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/JVf977C7uN
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) May 29, 2021
However the weekend of racing in Tuscany was overshadowed by the death of 19-year-old Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier. He sustained brain injuries after a multi-bike crash in the qualifying session for the Moto3 race on Saturday. The serious crash involved riders Ayumu Sasaki and Jeremy Alcoba towards the end of the session, which was immediately red-flagged, according to SkySports.
“We are deeply saddened to report the loss of Jason Dupasquier,” MotoGP said on Twitter.
The Swiss rider was airlifted to Careggi Hospital in Florence. “Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and all those subsequently attending to the Swiss rider, the hospital has announced that Dupasquier has sadly succumbed to his injuries,” a MotoGP statement read Sunday.
Only one person in our thoughts tonight
Ride in peace Jason, you will always be in our hearts ❤️#JA50N pic.twitter.com/WoImuRL8V8
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) May 30, 2021
