Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder complete first day of Qatar Grand Prix with the sixth and tenth fastest times, respectively.

Binder, Moto3, Qatar MotoGP, 2016

The 2016 World Championship kicked off on Thursday under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit. It was a great start for Red Bull KTM Ajo, as by working together in the two Free Practice sessions at the Qatari track both their riders achieved very positive results. Brad Binder was sixth in the combined timesheet for the day, with one of the fastest paces in the class, and rookie Bo Bendsneyder was tenth in his very first sessions in Grand Prix racing.

Teamwork and putting in the maximum number of laps were the two main strategies for the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders, as they rode together at various stages of the first practice. Both made a single stop in the garage, as they worked predominantly on getting a feel for the bike ahead of the second session. Binder was sixth -2:07.343- after 16 laps and Bendsneyder fifteenth -2:07.885, 14 laps-.

In the second 40 minutes, the pair once again undertook some excellent teamwork. Binder and Bendsneyder alternated spots at the head of the timesheets, occupying the first two positions. Despite dropping down the order in the final stages, the South African and the Dutchman finished sixth -2:06.268- and tenth -2:06.477-, respectively, improving their laps from the opening session.

On Friday, the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders will undertake their third and final practice session from 7pm (local time).

Results (Combined practice time FP1-FP2)
1. Livio Loi (Honda) 2:05.832
2. Joan Mir (KTM) 2:06.160 +0.328
3. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 2:06.184 +0.352
4. Romano Fenati (KTM) 2:06.195 +0.363
5. Francesco Bagnaia (Mahindra) 2:06.257 +0.425
6. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:06.268 +0.436
10. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:06.477 +0.645

41 BRAD BINDER
“I felt good on the bike today. We did not make any real attempt to set a fast lap, but we instead focused on finding the best pace possible. I had some problems when the tyres were worn, -especially with the front- but this is an aspect on which we will focus tomorrow. I think we’ve met the objective of the day, because this will help us to be stronger for Sunday. We have to keep working, but the first step has been good.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“This first day of this GP in Qatar has not gone badly. In the first session we devoted a lot of time to looking for a good feeling, assessing the state of the track and reconnecting with the bike. In the second session we put on new tyres and pushed harder. Our best time is good and the pace is not at all bad, but I want to improve it. I feel comfortable riding, but I want to continue working on my feeling with the front end. Now we will analyse what we can change for tomorrow. I can’t wait to continue working at this GP, which will be my World Championship debut.”