Red Bull KTM’s Brad Bindr has nabbed Moto3 position at the Argentinian MotoGP round to take his first class top spot. With track temperatures slowly increasing, to 40°C, slightly warmer than in Free Practice 3, but not as severe as Friday. Binder was once again the early leader in the session, championship leader Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) just behind.
Due to his fast start, Binder found himself frequently followed by other riders looking for a fast time, the similar situation frequently occurring to Danny Kent in 2015. Traffic is a persistent problem and the rules about slow riding were brought in to discourage such behaviour. But by mid-session Binder was able to improve his time and set the provisional fastest lap of the weekend.
Ten minutes from the end, the customary final assault for pole began at the Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina with new tyres fitted. None would be able to best Binder as the South African secured his first ever pole position in the World Championship. Not only is this his first ever pole, but it is just his second ever front row start. Binder is yet to win a race in the Moto3™ World Championship, despite having started every race.
"This second QP of the year went very well. I was able to put in many laps with a very good pace and I felt strong throughout the session, so I'm happy. At first, I went out alone and set a good lap time, but when I went out for the second time I knew that if I took a slipstream I could improve a lot. That's why on my last outing I tried to feel comfortable and enjoy myself. It's fantastic to have finally taken my first pole position,” said Binder.
“I want to thank the team, as they did an amazing job and provided a great strategy in terms of when to go out on track, as we never get stuck in traffic. I have felt very strong throughout the weekend, we have done very well and we are working in the right way. Little by little we are improving and to get pole position is an incredible feeling; tomorrow I hope to fight for my first win."
Fellow KTM rider Romano Fenati (Sky Racing Team VR46) was 0.324s back on Binder, unable to match his 1’49.767. This is the second straight race that Fenati will start on the front row, his best ever back-to-back Qualifying results. Fenati heads into the Argentina GP looking for his first podium since the Aragon GP in 2015.
Completing the front row is Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0), improving his pace slowly over the course of the weekend. After penalties were applied he was the only Honda in the top five on the grid.
Fourth in the session was Khairul Idham Pawi (Honda Team Asia), an incredible result for the rookie. This is just his second year racing in Europe, the Malaysian showing incredible potential and natural talent on a motorcycle. Unfortunately he was handed a penalty for riding slowly and will start down in seventh place.
Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) was fifth in the session, again impressing with a 1’50.278. Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) was sixth, the top six a perfect divide of experienced campaigns and young up and comers. Pawi, Bulega and Mir have all come through the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship, the trio demonstrating the incredibly high level of the feeder series.
Khairul Idham Pawi and Karel Hanika (Platinum Bay Real Estate) were both handed three-place grid for slow riding during practice.
Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was penalised four places for the same offence as this was his second offence in two rounds.
With penalties applied the front row remains unchanged while, the second row will consist of Bulega, Mir and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3) with Pawi leading the third row from Niccolo Antonelli and Fabio Quartararo (Leopard Racing). Times at the top remain incredibly close, the Moto3™ race building to be another nail bitter as in Qatar.
Scotland’s John McPhee ended a little under two seconds off the pace in 28th position while Saxoprint Peugeot Alexis Masbou finished in 23rd place.
Darryn Binder (Platinum Bay Real Estate) fell early in the session at Turn 3 but sustained no serious injuries. Home rider Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA Racing Team) also fell early in the session at Turn 2, then a late fall at Turn 10. Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) also suffered a fast fall at Turn 5, ending his session prematurely.
Lorenzo Petrarca (3570 Team Italia), Karel Hanika (Platinum Bay Real Estate), Juanfran Guevara (RBA Racing Team) and Francesco Bagnaia (Aspar Mahindra Team Moto3) were all involved in a large crash at Turn 2 as the flag came out. None were injured.