The Potchefstroom-born Binder started the MotoGP race in 10th in the grind and quickly worked his way to the front of the field but a crash by Marco Bezzecchi certainly helped the South Africa’s cause.

Aleix Espargaro took the checkered flag after overtaking Pecco Bagnaia on the final lap for the win, with the reigning world champion finishing in second, while Binder held off his former teammate Miguel Oliveira for third.

Binder said he is happy to have finished on the podium in tricky conditions.

“It was really tricky - this track is so big and it covers so space,” said Binder.

“It was wet in some sectors and in others it was bone dry. It was so difficult to understand wet is was when you arrived at the wet sectors.

“Hats off to my team, they did an amazing job and my boke worked fantastic.

“I would have loved to got the win for them, but third is going to have to do.”

Binder remains in fourth in the rider championship standings.

Next week the circuit will head to the home of Red Bull and KTM for the Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport