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Binder sixth as Bagnaia makes perfect MotoGP start in Portugal
Neck pain could not keep Binder from doing what he does best - performing on a Sunday.
Francesco Bagnaia made the perfect start to the 2023 MotoGP season. Picture: AFP
Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder bravely fought his way through neck pain to finish in sixth place in the main race of the season-opening Portugal MotoGP on Sunday.
The race was won by world champion Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati, with Maverick Vinales second and Marco Bezzecchi in third.
The result means that Bagnaia, who also won the historic first MotoGP sprint race on Saturday, achieved the perfect total of 37 points from the 37 points that was on offer in Portugal.
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Pain in the neck
Being cleared to race after undergoing a medical check-up on his sore neck on Friday, Binder finished outside the points in the sprint race on Saturday. He made a stunning comeback on Sunday, starting the main race in 14th place and gaining six places within the first two laps of the race.
He was one of the beneficiaries of two places when pole man Marc Marquez took out his former team-mate Miguel Oliveira on the third lap.
Sunday man Brad Binder
Binder kept fighting to live up to his reputation as a Sunday man and moved up to as high as fourth with only a couple of laps to go. Despite him not able to match the pace of Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco who both overtook him in the end, he did manage to stay ahead of his KTM team-mate Jack Miller.
Binder and Miller’s results will give the Austrian outfit a lot of confidence. Miller was fighting for a victory at one stage during the sprint race before finishing fourth to earn six world champsionship points. The Australian leaves Portugal with a total of 15 points, while Binder has 10 behind his name.
Darryn disappoints
Brad Binder’s younger brother Darryn Binder has a Moto2 debut to forget in Portugal. After starting from 11th on the grid, the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP rider was lying in eight when he crashed out on lap 15.
The MotoGP show moves to Argentina next weekend.
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