Brad Binder heads the Moto3 standings as run of European races begins at Jerez. Bo Bendsneyder faces a familiar circuit for the first time this season.

The Moto3 World Championship hits Jerez this weekend for the Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain. Coming into the first European round of the season, Red Bull KTM Ajo have had several encouraging results, with Brad Binder as the series leader with a 3-point advantage and Bo Bendsneyder already amongst the points in Qatar. Last year, the team had two riders on the podium in Miguel Oliveira and Binder.

Brad Binder is, along with Marc Marquez, one of only two riders across the World Championship’s three categories to have placed on the podium in all three races so far: Qatar, Argentina and Austin. This, and the fact that Jerez is the track at which he took his first podium of 2015, means the South African faces this weekend’s round with confidence and eager to fight for his first victory.

Bo Bendsneyder’s rookie season so far has only been hampered in the last two rounds by results in qualifying, which have affected him in the races. However, the debutant is convinced that this dynamic will be reversed this weekend, when he rides at a familiar track for the first time this year. Bendsneyder has already visited Jerez this year in preseason, and won there twice in the 2015 Red Bull Rookies Cup.

The Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain will be the first of eleven consecutive races in Europe. The time schedule also returns to normal, with the Moto3 race taking place on Sunday at 11am local time.

Circuit information – Jerez
Length: 4.423 m / 2.748 miles
Width: 11 metres
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 607 m / 0.377 miles
Constructed: 1986
Modified: 2002

41 BRAD BINDER

“The Jerez Circuit is a track where I have always enjoyed riding, and where I have always done quite well. In the three days of preseason testing we did a good job here and got a good base setup, so we face this Grand Prix with confidence. I hope to get a good result at a track that I love and continue to lead the standings. I think -and I hope- that I can fight for my first victory. We’ll see.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER

“I can’t wait to get to Jerez, because for the first time I will be competing in a Grand Prix at a track where I have already contested several races, thanks to the Red Bull Rookies Cup and other competitions. It is also true that all the other riders have experience there, as it was a venue for preseason testing, so it will not be easy. It’s nice to go back and already have an initial base setup. However, we must continue to work because the conditions will be different, and throughout this month we have also made improvements. Let’s see what lies ahead this weekend.”