Binder tops Japan MotoGP practice, Martin third

Published October 5, 2024
RED Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder of South Africa rides during the MotoGP practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi on Friday.—AFP
RED Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder of South Africa rides during the MotoGP practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi on Friday.—AFP

MOTEGI: South Africa’s Brad Binder clocked the fastest time in practice for the Japan MotoGP on Friday, with championship leader Jorge Martin finishing third.

Red Bull KTM rider Binder laid down a fastest lap of 1min 43.436sec at a cloudy Motegi, 0.033 ahead of Spain’s six-time world champion Marc Marquez in second.

Spaniard Martin, who holds a 21-point lead over nearest rival Francesco Bagnaia in the overall standings with five races remaining, was 0.132 off Binder’s pace.

Italy’s Bagnaia, the defending world champion, finished seventh fastest, 0.318 out of the lead.

Pramac rider Martin is looking to win his first MotoGP championship after finishing second behind Ducati’s Bagnaia last year.

Italy’s Enea Bastianini, who is third in the overall championship standings, crashed midway through the hour-long session but returned to clock the fifth-fastest qualifying time, 0.169 behind Binder.

Martin looked like he had done enough to top the time sheets until Binder edged him with just minutes remaining.

Marquez made an even later tilt at first place but fell just short.

Pedro Acosta, Maverick Vinales, Alex Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi also secured their places in the top 10.

Bagnaia topped a morning free practice session that was interrupted by rain, finishing ahead of Martin.

The top 10 fastest riders in practice book their tickets for Saturday’s second qualifying session, which shapes the first four rows of the grid.

This group are then joined by the two fastest riders from the first qualifying session.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.