Austrian MotoGP: Binder masterclass, survives wet final five laps on slicks

Brad Binder claims a sensational Austrian MotoGP victory after riding a completely wet final five laps and slick tyres.
Brad Binder , Styria MotoGP, 7 August 2021
Brad Binder , Styria MotoGP, 7 August 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Brad Binder has won KTM’s home Austrian MotoGP ꧃after taking one of the biggest gambles in recen🙈t MotoGP history. 

As heavy rain fell witꦰh six laps to go, Brad Binder chose to stay out on slicks while the leaders pitted for wet tyres - a dicey gamble ꦚthat paid off in stunning fashion.

At the beginning 𝔍of the race, Jorge Martin initially made the perfect start from pole, but it was fellow Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia who led after lap one. 

There was a contact between Martin and Fabio Quartararo at turn 6 as the Yamaha rider attempted 𝔉to go down the inside. 

Both riders ran wide, which allowed Johann Zarco into second, while Marc Ma♌rquez moved Quartararo down to fifth. 

Marquez then got ahead of Martin for third just as Jack Miller made it four Ducati🐈s inside the top five after relegating Quartararo to sixth. 

The Repsol Honda 🎀rider’s charge didn’t stop there, as on lap three 📖Marquez went through on Zarco for P2. 

Martin then m🃏ade a double overtake on lap four as he passed team-mate Za⛦rco and Marquez. 

Martin followed that up by making a move for the lead on lap six, but ran wide at turn seven which allowedౠ Bagnaia, Marquez and Quartararo past.

Quartararo and Bagnaia then exchanged the lead of lap eight, but Bagnaia remained ahead as the Yamaha rider ran wid💜e at turn on൩e. 

The top five of Bagnaia, Quartararo, Marquez, Martin and Zarco then held station for several l🥃aps, while Mir got ahead of Miller for sixth on lap 11.

Enea Bastianini had to retire from the race after his fairing came off along the second straight, while second in the cha𓆉mpionship Zarco crashed out with ten laps to go. 

W🔜ith nine to go, Marquez got ahead of Quartararo for second as the Frenchman ran w👍ide at turn three. 

As the rain came for the second time, Miguel Oliveira crashed at turn one, while Marquez and Bagnaia battled for the lead. T🦩he Ducati rider resisted Marquez’s first attempt.

Miller and Alex Rins made an early choice to enter pit lane and do 🌳a bike change to wet tyres.

Martin and Mir closed up to the front three - making it a five-way battle for the podium before B♋ind🐓er did the same. The lead changed hands again as Marquez made his second move on Bagnaia stick.

The front five then pitted for wet tyres, while Binder remained out on track along with Aleix Espargarꦚo to go 1-2.

Marquez then crashed with just two laps to go as Binder extended his l🐭ead with dry tyres on a completely wet track. Binder went on to take victory after astonishingly sl꧙iding his way around the final two laps. 

The battle for second - led by Iker Lecuona and Aleix Espargaro looked poised to fill out the remaining▨ podiu🎉m places, however, the first wet tyre riders of Bagnaia and Martin overhauled a seven rider group in the final two secors to claim a Ducati 2-3.

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