Binder was "lost" on KTM before following Pedrosa
New factory KTM MotoGP rider Brad Binder admits he “felt completely lost” at one stage during the Valencia post-season test and asked the team for test rider Dani Pedrosa to help.

This year’s Moto2 runner-up Binder will make contest his debut MotoGP season with the works KTM squad, having been promoted from the Tech 3 team he was set to ride for in place of the ousted Johann Zarco.
Though he briefly tested the RC16 earlier in the year, the two-day post-race outing in Valencia marked his first proper miles on a MotoGP bike.
Commenting on his first experience and where he needs to improve, he said: “It is mainly just the lines and how you pick the bike on the exit of corners.
"The way you use the throttle – it is crazy! You use so much more throttle, even on a GP bike than you do on a Moto2 bike. You think completely opposite. It is really hard to try and work hard in my head and try to improve.
“It’s one of those things; the more I rode, the easier it felt to get to a certain point, but to go faster I kept still doing the wrong things. It made life difficult."

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Binder set his best time of 1m32.367s following Pedrosa and says shadowing him allowed him to see “what I was doing wrong”.
“I felt completely lost at one stage and then I got my team to go to Dani and ask if he’ll tow me around a little bit,” he said. “Obviously he was quite happy to help me.
"I was really fortunate, [I set] my quickest lap time behind him. All the things that I saw, that was basically where I noticed what I was doing wrong.
“That is where I really saw how quick he gets around the corners and picks the bike up, whereas I was just going in, going past [the apex] and not doing a very good job.”
Read Also:
"Insane" Espargaro impossible to follow
Binder went on to admit that he has a way to go before he'll be able to keep up with factory teammate Pol Espargaro, whose riding he described as "insane".
“I did [try to follow Espargaro], but he is still way too fast," Binder admitted. “I can see him for a couple of corners, and then after that he kind of disappears into the sunset.
“The amazing thing for me is the way he opens the throttle and the way he holds the throttle at [lean] angle.
“Some of the things look insane, but I am sure it’s one of those things that will come with time and I just [need to] find more confidence on the bike.”
Read Also:

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Previous article
Honda's 2020 bike no easier to ride, says Crutchlow
Next article
Mir: Suzuki needs just one fix to fight for wins everywhere

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Event | Valencia November testing |
Drivers | Brad Binder , Dani Pedrosa |
Author | Lewis Duncan |
Binder was "lost" on KTM before following Pedrosa
Trending
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title