Moto3 World Champion Brad Binder looks for another podium finish in Australia, while Bo Bendsneyder rides at Phillip Island for the first time. The Red Bull KTM Ajo team hold three wins from the last four editions of the Australian Grand Prix.

Phillip Island hosts the sixteenth round of the 2016 season this weekend –the second of the three flyaway GPs. The Red Bull KTM Ajo team will look to continue their excellent results in Australia, where they have won three of the last fourth Moto3 races. Brad Binder comes into the event off the back of a second place at Motegi –his twelfth podium of the year– that takes his points total to 269. Teammate Bo Bendsneyder, who will have to adapt to an unfamiliar track this weekend, placed outside the points in Japan despite gaining 9 positions and overcoming a ride through penalty.

Recently crowned Moto3 World Champion Binder had challenged for the win until the final lap at Motegi, and is still on course to claim several records this season: Most points (325), podiums (15) and total wins (7). He currently has 269 points, 12 podiums and 5 wins in 2016. Last season he finished on the podium at Phillip Island.

Bendsneyder had a difficult adaptation in Japan, but on race day overcame a ride through and climbed to 18th position, demonstrating the rookie’s positive momentum. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider, who will debut at Phillip Island, is closing in on his goal of concluding his rookie season in the Top15.

Red Bull KTM Ajo have wins at the Australian GP from Sandro Cortese (2012), Jack Miller (2014) and Miguel Oliveira (2015) in recent years, plus three podiums from Arthur Sissis (2012), Luis Salom (2013) and Brad Binder (2015). The Moto3 race at Phillip Island takes place on Sunday at 1pm local time, 4am CET.

Circuit information – Phillip Island
Length: 4.448m / 2.764 miles
Width: 13m
Left corners: 7
Right corners: 5
Longest straight: 900m / 0.559 miles
Constructed: 1956
Modified: 1988

41 BRAD BINDER

“Phillip Island is very special. It is a track where lap times are very tight and many riders finish within the same second. The hardest thing to do there is to plan for the final lap. What I definitely should not do is what I did in Japan. You cannot cross the line at the head of the group; you need to be at closer to the back of it. We have had good races at Phillip Island in previous years and I have felt strong, but that has little bearing on this weekend; I have to start from scratch and come into the race prepared.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER

“After experiencing the Motegi circuit for the first time and getting to know Japan a little, it’s time to focus on Phillip Island. It seems to be a circuit that suits my riding style quite well, but I will not know for sure until Friday. I have tried to watch a lot of races on TV and do a few laps on the Playstation. I have heard many good things about this circuit, that it is nice, smooth and fast, but we will need to put in a lot of laps on Thursday with the scooter. I can’t wait to ride there for the first time.”