Pol Espargaro takes #EuropeanGP podium, Brad Binder comes home a strong seventh

After two days of showers and mixed conditions the first of two races at the flat and curvy circuit in Valencia took place under late autumn sunshine and temperatures that creeped as high as 25 degrees. Red Bull KTM tackled the 27-laps of the thirteenth round of the condensed 2020 MotoGP season with all three of their active riders in strong grid positions: Pol Espargaro conquered the difficult damp track on Saturday to register his second Pole Position of the season (and of his career). Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Miguel Oliveira had placed 1st in Q1 and seized 8th on the grid after the Q2 session, elevated to 7th after a sanction for Aleix Espargaro. Brad Binder explored the limits of grip and traction with his KTM RC16 to sit a promising 10th.

Iker Lecuona was forced to miss the Grand Prix due to Covid-19 quarantine rules after his brother and personal assistant had tested positive for the virus. The Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider had returned a negative test but still had to isolate at his residence. KTM instead looked to their trio of Spanish, Portuguese and South African racers to extend their podium count to six for 2020.

Dry asphalt meant the Sunday morning Warm-up period became essential for the teams to refine their ‘dry race’ settings. Espargaro led from Pole Position and then circulated inside the top three for the entire distance. The gap to Alex Rins and Joan Mir ahead grew and shrank by tenths of a second but Espargaro could not get close enough to risk an attack for the second step of the rostrum. He crossed the line in 3rd place, just a second behind winner Mir and for the 49th trophy of his career.

Oliveira had a race-long tussle with Takaaki Nakagami and rode to 5th and his third top-five of 2020. Binder, who was obliged to take a Long Lap penalty after his part in the second corner crash at the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel two weeks ago, fought back with impressive pace. The rookie clocked the fastest lap of the race with five circulations to go and pushed all the way to 7th for this third-highest result of the season.

Pol Espargaro:
“It was hard, so tough with these guys. They were fast but I was catching back on brakes. I lost a bit of corner speed and through the apex but we went for the hard front and medium rear tires and it was a perfect choice. We had zero data for that selection but we gambled and I was gaining time. I’m really pleased. Another podium for KTM and myself, a great feeling.”

Miguel Oliveira:
“I’m happy. I think the strategy in Warm-Up paid off for the race. We managed to have a good balance with the bike and a good setting. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep the pace seven-eight laps to the end. After a couple of moments almost crashing, I decided to calm down and bring the bike to the garage, still make a good race and score decent points for the team.”

Brad Binder:
“The race started OK but I got a bit boxed-in through the first two-three corners. I didn’t want to take too much of a risk with the full fuel tank and I knew the Long Lap penalty was coming early on. As soon as I did it I dropped down the order and worked to catch back up but then Cal Crutchlow crashed in front of me and I had to run off the track! I lost a few more seconds that lap. The comeback was not bad. I felt good and the bike worked really well today. Even when the tires were used we could keep the same lap-times. It was a shame about the result because we had the pace for much better but I’m really happy and I think we can do a good job next weekend.”