Binder is ready to make his MotoGP debut next week in Jerez de la Frontera with the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix.

Binder will become only the fifth South African to compete on the biggest stage of motorcycling. The others are Paddy Driver, Alan North, Jon Ekerold and Ballington.

The 24-year-old Potchefstroom-born and bred rider has been in Europe for quite some time in order to start preparing.

Binder says that his prep for the season is going well and he looks forward to the upcoming campaign.

“Basically it was definitely really challenging to try and get out of South Africa at the beginning.

“Luckily they brought out the law saying if you need to return overseas for work, you are allowed to leave, so that’s pretty much how I managed to get back overseas and I’ve been in Europe now for around a month already and it’s time to get back into racing.

“It was quite tough during the lockdown to keep a good structure you know because when there’s not many things you can do during the day and you can’t really leave the house, it gets challenging.

“So I just really tried to focus on making sure I did my training to my absolute best and that was all I was really worried about during lockdown, but now since I’ve been back in Europe, things are basically back to normal here.

“I go to gym, I spent a good three weeks at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, and that was awesome, and pretty much getting everything back to where it needs to be to start the season off the in a couple of weeks’ time.

“I’ve already had a MotoGP test in Misano, which was really good. It’s great to be back on the bike after such a long time off and looking forward to getting started.”

 In 2019 Binder finished as the runner-up in the Moto2 World Championship, while in 2016 he was crowned as the Moto3 world champion.

The Zimbabwean-born Ballington remains South Africa’s most successful MotoGP rider to date after clinching four titles in his career.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport