![Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, KTM RC16, 2023 MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, Motegi, action [Gold & Goose]](https://bikesportnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Brad-Binder-Red-Bull-KTM-Factory-Racing-KTM-RC16-2023-MotoGP-Japanese-MotoGP-Motegi-action-Gold-Goose-scaled.jpg)
Sprint races, a final round title showdown, trials, tribulations and sensations - that was the year 2023 in MotoGP... but who were the big standouts? This is BSN's Top 10 MotoGP Riders of the 2023.
Brad Binder inches us further up the ranking in fourth
| 4th - BRAD BINDER | |
| TEAM | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
| MOTORCYCLE | KTM RC16 |
| OVERALL CLASSIFICATION | 4th |
| POINTS | 293 points |
| BEST RESULT(S) | 2nd [Main - Rd.4 Spanish MotoGP, Rd.10 Austrian MotoGP] 1st [Sprint - Rd.2 Argentina MotoGP, Rd.4 Spanish MotoGP] |
Brad Binder enjoyed the distinction of being the highest-placed non-Ducati rider in 2023, even if such a mantle is unlikely to garner pride akin to its feat during this ‘Desmo era’.
While this was a second successive ‘win-less’ season for Binder - at least, in the more valuable full-length GP races - it represented another notable step forward for both the South African and a KTM team that more than ever appears on the cusp of stringing together a serious title tilt going forward.
As has become his staple during his four seasons in the top flight, consistency provided the bedrock to Binder’s 2023 MotoGP campaign before it was topped off with a signature ability to wring the best from the KTM RC16 in race trim that took him to the rostrum five times.
Most significant, however, was Binder’s notable gains in qualifying, a step forward in single lap pace that ensured he made it into Q2 more regularly and enabled him to make better use of the KTM’s startlingly strong getaways.
Though the top step of the actual podium would elude him in 2023, Binder at least got to experience some of that winning feeling with two Sprint Race wins earlier in the year.
He achieved them in dazzling style too, charging from 18th on the grid in Argentina to prove you don’t have to be on the first couple of rows to out-sprint rivals, while he was all controlled aggression throwing shapes en route to a pulsating win in Jerez too.
Ultimately, uncharacteristic crashes in Argentina (main GP), at Circuit of The Americas and the Sachsenring would serve to cool his title aspirations, while a more bolshie riding style led to three post-race penalties for track limit violations and the odd reprimand for run-ins with rivals.
Still, things are definitely moving in the right direction for Binder and KTM… and 2024 really could be their year.
BSN’s Top 10 MotoGP Riders of 2023
5 - Fabio Quartararo
6 - Alex Marquez
7 - Luca Marini
8 - Johann Zarco
9 - Fabio di Giannantonio10 - Aleix Espargaro
