Phillip Island, Australia - South Africa’s Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) won his third Moto2 race of the season, taking the Australian Grand Prix chequered flag by a mere 0.036 seconds from Joan Mir (EG 0.0 Marc VDS), with Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) completing the podium.
Binder had to fight for his win, however, with pole sitter Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) taking the early lead, but Vierge (who had started from third spot on the grid) soon fought his way to the front, with Binder in hot pursuit and also having to fend off Iker Lecuona (Swiss Innovative Investors) and Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing).
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) also made his way to the front pack tussle, continuously swopping the lead with Vierge, but the former crashed out of contention five laps from the finish. Pasini and Lecuona had also crashed out earlier in the race.
Heading into the last lap, Fernandez and Vierge ran wide, leaving Binder and Mir to battle it out for the win, the two engaging in a frantic battle to the finish line.
Win number 3️⃣ for @BradBinder_41✊
Another strong ride from the South African! #AustralianGP🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6NmMw69UvS
— MotoGP™🏁🇦🇺 (@MotoGP) October 28, 2018
“Third Victory of the year! Phillip island you where good to me. Thank you to my team and everyone for all the great support! Bring on Malaysia!” Binder enthused on Twitter after the Australian race.
Binder currently lies third in the championship with 193 points, trailing team-mate Oliveira (252 points) and Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) who leads with 288 points.
The title fight kicks off again next weekend (November 4) at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.