The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider returns to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the of San Marino GP after two years away from the track.

After the disappointing suspension of the British GP a fortnight ago, the Moto3 World Championship riders were back on their bikes this Friday for the first day of Free Practice for the San Marino GP. Darryn Binder missed last year’s event through injury, but it remains one of his favourite on the calendar. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider ended Friday twenty-third on the combined timesheets.

The Moto3 riders, who of late have not enjoyed good track conditions, had a rare respite on Friday morning. Track temperatures of 18ºC were positive for Binder’s feeling and adaptation, and he performed his first two stints with the same set of tyres. In his last run, with new rubber, the South African clocked his best time of 1:45.652 for 26th place.

In the afternoon, Binder followed exactly the same strategy. A technical debrief after FP1 paid off, with the South African improving his previous best time, with used tyres, on his first hot lap. Binder improved with every stint, ending the session with a time more than 1.5 seconds quicker than in the morning. His 1:44.108 lap placed him 23rd.

Qualifying takes place from 12:35pm on Saturday, and is expected to be wet. The Red Bull KTM Ajo team have achieved pole position at Misano in Moto3 on two occasions: In 2012 and 2014.

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)
1. Jorge Martin (Honda) 1:42:324
2. Marco Bezzecchi (KTM) 1:42.527 +0.203
3. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 1:42.554 +0.230
4. Gabriel Rodrigo (KTM) 1:42.721 +0.397
5. Aron Canet (Honda) 1:42.845 +0.521
23. Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:44.108 +1.784

40 DARRYN BINDER
“After two years without riding at Misano, I really enjoyed getting back on this track. I feel we worked very well during the two Free Practice sessions today, but we also had many difficulties and my best lap in FP2 was scrubbed off. The good thing is that we have been improving little by little and we have a good base from which to continue working tomorrow, I am convinced that we can reduce the gap to the frontrunners. We need to improve our braking points because I brake too late; that’s something we need to change this Saturday. In addition, I also hope that it doesn’t rain.”