Miguel Oliveira takes podium, Brad Binder fifth at the #ItalianGP

The Gran Premio D’Italia Oakley delivered KTM’s first silverware of the 2021 MotoGP season as Red Bull KTM’s Miguel Oliveira raced to 2nd place at Mugello with his KTM RC16. Teammate Brad Binder equaled his best classification of the year so far in 5th place.

Sunshine and 23-degree temperatures graced the return of MotoGP to the thrilling racetrack in the Tuscan hills north of Florence. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira started the 23-lap encounter from the second and third rows of the start grid and after the South African had guided the KTM RC16 to equal the highest ever MotoGP top speed on Saturday by clocking 362.4 kmph through the speed traps.

Oliveira made a fantastic start and slotted into the running for the rostrum from the first corner. He moved past Johann Zarco to take 2nd spot and then defended his ranking after Joan Mir applied heavy pressure in the last two laps. The podium ceremony was Oliveira’s third in less than three seasons in MotoGP.

Binder also made a lively launch but lost a couple of positions to hover in the lower top ten as he worked his tires and confidence up to effective race pace. The South African, making his first MotoGP run at Mugello, fought back to 5th and was less than 5 seconds from winner Fabio Quartararo at the flag.

The Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya will bring the championship together for the seventh fixture of the year next weekend.

Miguel Oliveira:
“It was a good race and a strong weekend. We saw we had one of the best race paces out there. I was not strong enough to push at the beginning with the tires but then I got in my rhythm, I managed to get to 2nd and then could keep Joan Mir behind me, which was not easy. I would have liked to have made this podium in different circumstances. We can be happy but not completely, and our thoughts are with Jason’s family right now.”

Brad Binder:
“I’m happy with 5th today, even if I did want more but I had a crazy race. I almost tucked the front on the Sighting Lap, so I was trying to work out the conditions and why I felt different. I didn’t have a perfect start and then I was cautious on the first three laps. Marc [Marquez] rode into me and my airbag fired which meant I couldn’t move for almost a lap! After that I could finally get into a rhythm and chase the group in front of me although I didn’t quite have the pace to get through it. Anyway, I’m pleased with another top five and we’ll try to keep this momentum for the next races.”