Red Bull KTM Ajo rider optimistic for the Italian Grand Prix, where last year he achieved his best result in Moto3: Fourth place, 3 tenths off the racewinner.

Darryn Binder and the Red Bull KTM Ajo team move on from a positive Monday test at Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit to the sixth round of the season this weekend: The Italian Grand Prix. The South African will look to maintain his constant progress at a track where one year ago he managed to place fourth in the race –his best result to date in the Moto3 World Championship.

Binder experienced a remarkable improvement in his feeling with his KTM bike at the last round, held at Le Mans, barely missing out on the Top 10 in the process. Now he goes to a Mugello circuit that has provided him with good memories, and where he will try to take another step up with his performance and continue approaching the front of the field. Binder is a fan of Mugello and of the unique atmosphere he expects will help him achieve his goal.

This will be the fourth Italian GP for the Moto3 rider. The smaller cylinder class race starts at 11:00am local time on Sunday, and will be contested over a total of 20 laps. The Red Bull KTM Ajo team have 3 victories at the Italian track in the class: Luis Salom in 2013, Miguel Oliveira in 2015 and Brad Binder in 2016, as well as an additional podium for Sandro Cortese in 2012.

Circuit information – Mugello
Length: 5.245 m / 3.259 miles
Width: 15 metres
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 9
Longest straight: 1.141 m / 0.709 miles
Constructed: 1974

40 DARRYN BINDER
“I think the test we did on Monday at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit will be very useful for Italy. It was at Mugello that I achieved my best result in the World Championship last year, fighting until the last moment for the win. I really enjoy riding at the track. I think the atmosphere is crazy –incredible– and the fans give their all during the races. After finishing eleventh at Le Mans, the objective will be to take another step forward. Obviously I want more than a Top 10, but we have to go step by step.”