South African MotoGP rider Brad Binder recovered from technical problems and multiple race restarts to finish seventh at the Grand Prix of Catalunya at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over the weekend of May 15 to 17.

According to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Binder started eighth on the grid before chaos unfolded early in the race.

A collision between teammate Pedro Acosta and Álex Márquez scattered debris across the track and triggered a red flag.

Also read: Late crash ends Binder’s French MotoGP challenge

Another incident at Turn 1 during the restart brought proceedings to a halt again before a second restart allowed a 12-lap sprint to continue.

“Binder had a technical issue on the warm-up lap, meaning a pit-lane start. He circulated adrift of the field but was given a reprieve with the restarts. He salvaged a creditable seventh on a weekend where he made a step with his set-up and pace,” the team said.

Binder explained that he had to switch to a spare bike after the warm-up lap before fighting his way back through the field.

“Unfortunately, we had a red flag. On the restart, I was up to eighth from 20th. I think it was one of my best starts ever, but then we had another restart. I made it up to ninth but managed to blow Turn 1. I had to cut back and then work on catching the guys in front of me who were fighting for fifth. It’s a pity … also that I qualified eighth and had to start from 20th twice. A weekend where we were unlucky but then also fortunate to have those starts,” said Binder.

Binder is currently 14th in the championship standings and will next compete at the Grand Prix of Italy from May 29 to 31.