Moto3: Darryn Binder makes KTM debut
Darryn Binder, younger brother of Brad, finally completed his first KTM laps on Wednesday at Valencia.
After two seasons on Mahindra machinery, with a best finish of fourth, Darryn is joining the same factory Ajo-run KTM team that guided Brad to the Moto3 world title in 2016.
Brad has since remained with Ajo and KTM for Moto2 and was watching on as Darryn, who missed out on 2017 post-season testing due to a left-hand injury, made his debut on day two of 2018 testing.
The wet weather that had ruined day one was again a factor, limiting Darryn to just over an hour of track time, during which he set a best lap of 1m 41.997s. That put him 18th on the Moto3 timesheet and 1.673s from Gabriel Rodrigo.
"It was a good first day. Unfortunately, yesterday rain did not allow us to ride and today the track stayed wet until noon," Binder confirmed. "We could almost say that we have only taken advantage of the last session.
"We have not been able to go as fast as we would have liked, but it has been good to be able to put in some laps again, since I haven’t been able to since the Valencia GP.
"The track conditions were good, although I felt a bit strange riding, and we were enjoying ourselves again and starting to work a bit on the setup. Tomorrow we will try to continue progressing."
Darryn is the only Red Bull KTM Ajo rider in Moto3 this season, while Brad is again paired with Miguel Oliveira in Moto2.
Oliveira was second fastest of the Moto2 riders on Wednesday, 0.185s behind new Pons Kalex rider Lorenzo Baldassarri.
"It is true that today we were only able to put in a few laps, but it has still been enough to shake of the cobwebs and begin to find our feeling again," said the Portuguese. "In the last session I suffered a small crash on the final corner, but wasn't hurt.
"We set the second best time, so it's not a bad start. Tomorrow we will continue to work hard because it is only the beginning of it all."
Brad Binder set the ninth quickest lap time, 0.754s from Baldassarri.
"After two months without being able to ride my KTM, it has been good to be able to undertake my first laps of the year here in Valencia," he said.
"The weather was not the best, as it was too cold, and we have not been able to work on many things, but at least it has helped me to start finding a feeling and adapting to riding in Moto2.
"Tomorrow is set to be another very cold day, so we’ll see if we can ride in all of the sessions or not. We will try to make the most of the time available."
Thursday marks the final day of the opening Moto3/Moto2 test.
