Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder debut at Red Bull Ring, the only new circuit on the 2016 World Championship calendar.

After a break of close to a month, the World Championship returns to action for its tenth round: The Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring that debuts this season. Brad Binder arrives in Spielberg as Moto3 series leader with 179 points, 47 ahead of his nearest rival. Teammate Bo Bendsneyder is 22nd, with 18 points. It will be a special weekend for the team, being as it is the home GP for both Red Bull and KTM.

The two Red Bull KTM Ajo riders come into the event with an initial idea of the circuit already established, following a test at the Red Bull Ring on July 26th and 27th. Binder will be chasing a return to the podium to start off the second half of the season, having placed off the rostrum in difficult weather conditions at the last two rounds in the Netherlands and Germany.

Bendsneyder has scored points at the last three races, achieving his best result to date at Assen with seventh. The Dutch rider continues to make progress in the Moto3 class, and this weekend has the advantage of none of the grid having raced at the Red Bull Ring before –making it a level playing field for the rookie.

The Austrian Grand Prix, which was last held in 1997- will run the Moto3 race on Sunday at 11am local time. It will also be a special GP for the Red Bull Rookies Cup, a competition where both Binder and Bendsneyder began their careers and which this weekend will celebrate 10 years of existence.

Circuit information – Red Bull Ring
Length: 4.318 m / 2.683 miles
Width: 13 metres
Left corners: 3
Right corners: 7
Longest straight: 626 m / 0.389 miles
Constructed: 1969
Modified: 1996

41 BRAD BINDER
“I feel very good ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. We have had a good holiday and now it’s time to get back to work, and I can’t wait to start riding. We were fortunate enough to be able to do two days of testing at the Red Bull Ring, where we discovered some details that will help us for this weekend; the key will be setting a good pace. I imagine that the race will be very fun, with a group of about 20 riders fighting for first place, as it is not easy to overtake here. Taking part in the pre-event was great, and sharing this moment with other riders and visiting the city of Graz is another experience that being part of the World Championship provides.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“I am really looking forward to the Austrian GP. The two-day test we did at the track was good, and we put in a lot of laps as it only rained right at the end –overall the weather was excellent. I was very happy with the work done with the team and I think we found a good base for the bike. It will be a special round, because for Red Bull and KTM it is their home Grand Prix. My goal is to finish in the points; it will not be easy because there are many long straights and the race will likely involve a large group. It will be a different feeling to see how all the riders start from scratch at this circuit, and I think it could work out better for me.”