Red Bull KTM Ajo rider continues adapting to his new team and finishes twentieth at the first test of the year.

Darryn Binder concluded the first official test of the season this Thursday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. After debuting yesterday on the Red Bull KTM Ajo bike, the South African was been able to go out on track today in each of the three sessions for the Moto3 class, despite the low temperatures experienced all week at the track. Binder completed the week twentieth on the combined timesheets.

On Thursday, he put in 55 laps of the Spanish track. In his first stint he had already improved his Wednesday lap time, cutting a further two tenths in the following hour for a 1:41.259. That was his top time of the test, as a drop in temperature in the last session left him far from matching his previous laps. In total, he rode 328km with his KTM over the two days.

The work continues for the Moto3 rider, who on Monday will start three days of testing -from February 12th to 14th- at the Jerez Circuit. 

Combined Standings Day 1-2-3
1. Jorge Martin (Honda) 1:39.615
2. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 1:39.710 +0.095
3. Marco Bezzechi (KTM) 1:39.717 +0.102
4. Aron Canet (Honda) 1:39.734 +0.119
5. Niccolo Antonelli (Honda) 1:39.751 +0.136
20. Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.259 +1.644 

#40 Darryn Binder
“Unfortunately, at the end of these three days we have practically only been able to take advantage of three sessions, which would be equivalent to a single day. We haven’t been able to enjoy the track time we would have liked. I’ve struggled a bit, and have noticed my lack of pace since I haven’t ridden since the Valencia race, so for now I have only worked on getting comfortable. I’m looking forward to Jerez, to having good weather, and to starting to play with the setup of the bike.”