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Binder fails to make impact in historic MotoGP sprint race
South African KTM rider not in the best shape after suffering from neck pain on Friday.
Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder has been suffering from neck pain at the Portugal MotoGP. Picture: Getty Images
Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder missed out on a slice of history by failing to finish in the points in the first-ever MotoGP sprint race at the Portugal Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.
The historic first sprint race, which this season will feature on every race weekend, was won by MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia, followed by Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez.
Binder, who was still recovering after suffering from neck pain on Friday, could only finish in 12th place after starting the sprint event from 15th position on the grid. He was cleared to take part by his Red Bull KTM team after being taking for scans after Friday’s two free practice sessions.
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Miller shines
The sprint race consisted of 12 laps, with Bagnaia taking 12 points for the win. The next eight finishers earned points, with Alex Marquez taking the last point on offer by finishing ninth.
A consolation for Binder at least will the performance of his new team-mate Jack Miller, who momentarily jostled at the front of the sprint race and ended up in fourth place. The Australian surprisingly spoiled the high-flying Ducatis’ party on Friday by recording the fastest time during the first two free practice sessions.
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Miller managed to qualify in fifth place, showing that the KTM might be in better shape this season than earlier anticipated.
Brad Binder has it all to do
Unlike Formula 1, where the results of the sprint race determine the starting grid for the main race, the same starting grid is in place for both the sprint and main race in MotoGP.
That means that Binder has it all to do again on Sunday from 15th place on the grid. The first 15 finishers of a MotoGP race earn points, with the winner bagging 25 points at the rider finishing 15th a solitary point.
This could mean that if Bagnaia win the main race on Sunday, he could already be taking an incredible 37 points away from the first race weekend of the season. The Italian Ducati man started the season as the odds-on favourite to add to add a second world championship title to his crown.
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