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The KTM RC16 has long had the potential for MotoGP wins but hasn’t had a rider of Brad Binder’s calibre to realise it, LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow believes.
Moto2 graduate Binder scored KTM’s first-ever MotoGP win in only his third race in the category this past weekend, with a margin of victory of over five seconds in the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno.
“The bike is capable of winning every week – which we knew anyway, we probably knew last year. Now they’ve got the rider to be able to do that” :: Cal Crutchlow
Binder’s works stablemate Pol Espargaro has been KTM’s standard-bearer for the vast majority of the manufacturer’s stint in MotoGP, and had delivered its maiden podium back in 2018.
But Espargaro was denied the opportunity to challenge Binder for the Brno win when he was wiped out in a collision with ex-KTM rider Johann Zarco.
Crutchlow intimated that KTM could’ve been winning regularly sooner with a different rider line-up.
“Brad Binder was exceptional. He’s an exceptional rider, I’m very, very pleased with his result,” he said in the wake of the Brno result.
“He thoroughly deserved it, rode fantastic.
“It shows the bike he’s on is capable of winning every week – which we knew anyway, we probably knew last year.
“Now they’ve got the rider on it to be able to do that.”
Crutchlow himself endured a tough race en route to 13th, in which he encountered “the same old Honda problem”, in that its riders “can ride alone but we can’t ride in a group”.
The KTM RC16 has been often likened to the Honda RC213V, and Espargaro’s successes on the former were seen as being pivotal in securing him the works Honda seat alongside Marc Marquez for 2021-22.
As part of the repercussions of that move, Crutchlow is parting with Honda and is set to move to Aprilia.
Asked by The Race to elaborate on Binder’s perceived impact, and to comment on whether the current KTM was akin to the Honda, Crutchlow said: “Now? No, [it’s not].
“I think when they first started, they were very close. Now it seems that they have made a massive step, probably since the arrival of Dani [Pedrosa, test rider] as well.
“We know Dani was a very special guy, but he knew what he was doing. And when he rode in Honda, he was superb with giving comments as well. Maybe that bike just didn’t suit him.
“Now he’s tested the KTM for them, and done very well with that. And I believe that’s been influential in building their bike to be a race winner, which it is now.
“And now KTM have a rider that’s a fantastic rider, so I believe that’s why as well.
“For a rookie to come in and win straight away – Fabio [Quartararo] didn’t do it last year, and Brad’s gone and done it this year.
“On a bike that everyone says needs more development, needs concessions, but it shows that they definitely don’t.
“They’re doing a very, very good job and Brad did a very good job.”
