South African motorcycle-racing sensation and 2016 Moto3 World Champion Brad Binder is set to step up to the MotoGP in 2020.
He will pilot the KTM RC16 next after spending three seasons in the Moto2 category, racking up five wins and 12 podium finishes to date.
Road to success
He made his debut back in 2014 as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race winner in his second stint with Red Bull KTM Ajo, while also grabbing his first piece of silverware in the same year.
READ | Hot shots, young riders welcome SA's Brad Binder to MotoGP
Two years later he claimed the world title and in the process became South Africa’s first world champion in 36 years and just the third from his country.
Upon his promotion to Moto2, he started slow but soon gained momentum winning his second race of the season at Aragon, Spain in mid-September. That result made it two wins and three podiums in the last seven races.
Image: Red Bull
Binder knows that he will be up against a tough and seasoned contingent of racers.
"For sure, it’s going be really difficult at the beginning especially. However it’s going to be incredible lining up on the grid with Valentino Rossi and a lot of my heroes. It’s an incredible feeling and I can’t wait for it to all start," Binder said on the step up to MotoGP.
To honour Binder's achievement, Red Bull gave the South African rider his very own can, becoming the first sportsman to do so.
"It’s pretty crazy to have your face on a Red Bull can. I don’t think I’ll get used to it," he commented.