The other Austria 'shock' with major repercussions in MotoGP

The headlines after MotoGP's Austrian GP were naturally dominated by Brad Binder's heroics on slicks in the rain. But although seventh was, on the face of it, a fairly average result in the context of his season, that Fabio Quartararo was in contention for victory before the rain at Yamaha's worst venue should sound alarm bells for his rivals

Lewis Duncan Aug 17, 2021, 11:04 AM

Upd: Aug 23, 2021, 9:01 AM

Brad Binder’s brave decision to remain on slicks for the final three laps of Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix while the rain fell on the Red Bull Ring ultimately delivered one of the most unexpected results for some time in MotoGP.

The KTM rider somehow kept his RC16 upright as his front brake and tyre cooled to a near-useless point by the final lap, his 28th and final tour some 15 seconds slower than second-place finisher Francesco Bagnaia on the factory Ducati as he picked off nine riders following a late stop for his wet bike.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.