Disappointing end to 2023 in Valencia for Darryn Binder and Lukas Tulovic

The 2023 season demanded everything from the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team. Even in the last race of the season, Darryn Binder crossed the finish line in twentieth position, which team-mate Lukas Tulovic did not get to see after a tyre poker, all hopes for the Valencia finale remained unfulfilled.

Darryn Binder made up an incredible nine positions on the first lap. The South African started the final 22 laps of the season in twenty-fifth place and quickly moved up to P16. Despite having his eyes on the points, Binder had no choice but to give way and take a lot of risks due to a lack of feeling for his front tyre. Unfortunately, this did not pay off. The 25-year-old finished the Valencia Grand Prix in 20th position and can looks back on a difficult season with many ups and downs. Binder finished in the points eight times, with sixth place in Argentina remaining his best result. There is still a lot of potential in the rider placed 20th in the championship, which he has not been able to prove due to numerous and sometimes long injury breaks. He will use the winter break to review the 2023 season, learn from his mistakes, and start the 2024 season, in which he will once again compete for the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 team, stronger.

Lukas Tulovic wanted nothing more than to end the unexpectedly mixed season on a high. The 23-year-old showed some glimmers of hope over the course of the Valencia weekend and took a deliberate risk with a tyre gamble that was not to be rewarded. His race lasted only five laps, but already at the start, the German did not have the same good feeling for his Kalex and the front tyre as on Saturday. As with his team-mate, fate was all too often a bad betrayer for Tulovic. Crashes and injuries characterized his season, which is why he was only able to score points for only three times. The rider from Eberbach will use the coming months to put the disappointments behind him so that he can start his next adventure with the German racing team in good spirits and as fit as possible because Lukas Tulovic, together with DYNAVOLT Intact GP, is returning to the MotoE series he knows so well and aims to fight for success and titles again.

Lukas Tulovic
DNF
Moto2 World Championship 2023 – P24 – 12 Points

“That was definitely not the end of the season I would have wished for here in Valencia. I took a gamble with the tyres after feeling very good with the combination on Saturday. Unfortunately, this was not confirmed in the race, because I was struggling a lot more with the rear tyre and was also at the limit with the front. I had lost two places, was then only eighteenth, and wanted to stay with the group because I sensed my chance at the end of the race. I thought I could benefit from the hard tyre at the end. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that far after trying everything I could to stay with the group. I then unfortunately crashed over the front. I’m obviously very unhappy to finish the season in the gravel. I have no choice but to tick it off and put it behind me. I’m now looking forward to the winter break to clear my head and then we’ll be back together in MotoE in the new year, stronger and fresher.”

Darryn Binder
P20 – (+33.307)
Moto2 World Championship 2023 – P20 – 34 Points

“Unfortunately, it was a very difficult race for me today. After three or four laps, when I had already made up a few positions at the start, I didn’t have the feeling for the front. So, I tried my best, but unfortunately, I couldn’t ride the way I wanted. I took a lot of risks, but it didn’t pay off. I couldn’t do anything other than reel off my laps and bring the bike home. Unfortunately, I was out of the points, and I couldn’t do anything because I missed the feeling for the front end. It’s really sad to end the season like this because it’s been a very difficult season for me. Luckily, I have a great team behind me, and they believe in me. We have another chance next year and 2024 starts tomorrow. There are some big things coming up, with some big changes. So, let’s get back out tomorrow again and forget about what happened today, and start working for next year. I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m also looking forward to the summer break because when I go back to South Africa it’s summer for me. I’m really looking forward to fully healing my body and getting back to 100 percent fitness and then moving on next year!”