Red Bull KTM Ajo team take podium double at British GP, with Brad Binder victorious and Bo Bendsneyder placing on the rostrum for the first time.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team enjoyed a sensational Sunday at Silverstone, with Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder both finishing on the podium at the British Grand Prix. The Moto3 World Championship leader won out in a battle involving up to 14 riders, performing strongly in the final stages of the race. Bendsneyder rounded off a very consistent weekend with the first podium of his Grand Prix career, placing third.

A large group involving the pair was formed at the start of the race. Binder attempted to break away on the early laps, but the use of slipstreams by his rivals continually reeled him back in. Instead, he and Bendsneyder would focus on remaining part of the pack and biding their time until the end.

In the final stages, the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair moved to the front of the group, with Bendsneyder moving up through the Top 10 to first place on the last lap. The Dutchman was passed by Binder before the chequered flag, as the World Championship leader claimed his fourth win of the year, and he held on for third place at Silverstone.

With two-thirds of the season completed, Binder leads the general classification with 204 points -86 more than his nearest rival. Bendsneyder’s podium enables him to ride six places in the overall standings, lying thirteenth with 52 points to his name.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“It has been a very special day for the team. It is difficult to find the words to describe what happened today. Brad [Binder] rode very intelligently, was in the right place at the right time and deserved the victory. But Bo [Bendsneyder] has made me very happy; his great improvement in recent races has been incredible. I like the fight that he showed today, he never gave up and he rode a very good race.”

Results (Race)
1. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 38:39.142
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Mahindra) +0.183
3. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.336
4. Stefano Manzi (Mahindra) +0.787
5. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) +0.802

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2016
1. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 204 points
2. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 118 points
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Mahindra) 110 points
4. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 102 points
5. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 100 points
13. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 52 points

41 BRAD BINDER

“Today I had to dig deep to win. A couple of times during the race I dropped down to sixth place and I said to myself that it was not enough -that the safest place to be was in the lead. I focused on trying to keep in second or third. By the time we reached the last lap, I knew what I had to do. I am very happy to be back to winning ways, and I want to congratulate Pecco [Bagnaia] and Bo [Bendsneyder] -who took his first podium in the World Championship and had an incredible weekend. I am fortunate to have a great team by my side, and my bike performed excellently here. I can’t thank my team enough, and part of today’s victory is due to them.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER

“It was a great race. I fought hard at the end with the other riders and taking third place is incredible. I had some difficulties on the opening laps, but at the end I felt better with the tyres, had a good feeling with the bike and used that to push more. I want to thank the team and everybody who has been behind me for this podium; it was definitely a magnificent race.  Throughout the weekend I felt fast and was up near the Top 10, and also before arriving at Silverstone Aki [Ajo] told me ‘this is your race, you need to fight like a beast.’ That is exactly what I did, so I also want to thank him for believing in me.”