18-20
Round up of the events for this week ’ s Round 8 of MotoGP TM
Remy to MotoGP™
When Remy Gardner signed to Aki Ajo ’ s Red Bull-backed team , there was a clear pathway to the top . Start the 2021 Moto2™ season well , and there would be a place in KTM ’ s MotoGP™ stable for the following year .
The Australian kept up his end of the deal . After six races , the son of 1987 500cc World Champion Wayne tops the standings of the intermediate category with one win and four further podiums . And prior to the Grand Prix of Catalunya , KTM confirmed he will step up to Hervé Poncharal ’ s Tech 3 team for a debut campaign in the premier class next year .
“ For me it ’ s a dream come true you know it ’ s been many years fighting to reach the MotoGP™ class ,” said Remy . “ It hasn ’ t been easy but in the end it looks like I made it , so yeah , for sure , I can ’ t wait to ride the beast but at the moment we still need to keep the focus on the job you know which is fighting for the Championship .”
Binder signed up for the long-term
Marc Marquez isn ’ t alone in signing for the long-term . KTM showed how highly it values Brad Binder by announcing the South African had signed a monster three-year contract extension that keeps him with the Austrian factory until the end of 2024 .
While his season hasn ’ t gone entirely to plan , Binder has still scored brilliant against-the-odds finishes at the Doha and Portuguese GPs . Add to that his history with KTM – a Moto3™ world title in 2016 , the factory ’ s first MotoGP™ win last year , and a total of 16 wins in all classes – and it is clear why they added an extra two years to his current deal .
“ I always knew I wasn ’ t going anywhere , that I ’ d be here for the coming years , just not sure how long exactly ,” said Binder in Catalonia . “ It ’ s really nice to have a contract all sewn up and be able to concentrate on the important things at the weekend . This is where I want to be . I ’ m excited to see what the future brings .”
Motosports Direction Pit Beirer said of the deal : “ Sometimes you find a racer and a mentality that really fits with your own philosophy and the fact that Brad has come all the way to the top with us in a ten-year period is a very special story .”
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