tie must “Sunday driver” become

“The next three races will point the way in the fight for the title”, predicts ServusTV expert Stefan Bradl. In Mugello, the motorcycle world championship is picking up speed again after a four-week break this weekend (today, 2.30 p.m./Sunday, from 11 a.m., live ServusTV), and with Brad Binder a KTM rider is in a brilliant lurking position. In third place, the South African is only 13 points behind championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), while his brand colleague Marco Bezzecchi is just one point behind his compatriot. But Binder knows that he has to fight even harder for the world title in the MotoGP premier class, which the Mattighofen plant so eagerly awaits “Sunday driver” must become.

“I haven’t had too much luck in Sunday’s races this year”, admits the 27-year-old. So far, Binder has shone like no other, especially in the sprints over half the distance of the main race on Saturday, which were newly introduced at every GP weekend this season. He won in Argentina and Jerez, and second place looked likely at Le Mans. “I definitely like the new format”says Binder, who would only be sixth without the sprints.

But the races in Italy promise to be just as heated. Already yesterday in the second training session the asphalt temperature was almost 45 degrees in bright sunshine. World title defender Bagnaia set the best time of the day with 1:45.436 minutes, even though the Italian is on crutches in the paddock after his crash in Le Mans to relieve his injured right ankle. “I’m not at 100 percent”, admits the Ducati factory pilot. But for his work, only victory at home counts. “At the home race on their test track, they’ll put in a full program and absolutely want to win”Bradl believes.