Binder ends chaotic French GP in sixth place

A FIRST-lap incident compromised Brad Binder in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans yesterday as the Red Bull KTM rider survived a chaotic but exciting race to finish sixth.

Starting MotoGP’s

1 000th GP in 10th place, Binder was pushed down to 16th after a four-bike tussle forced him wide during the initial stages, while a long-lap penalty with eight laps to go put paid to the 27-year-old’s chances.

Coupled with his second place on Saturday in the sprint race, a haul of 19 points kept Binder third in the world riders’ championship on 81 points, 12 behind race winner Marco Bezzecchi.

The Italian had his second win of the season to slash fellow Italian Francesco Bagnaia’s championship lead to one point.

Saturday’s sprint winner Jorge Martin was second, just over four seconds behind, while Martin’s Pramac Ducati teammate Johann Zarco was third to give French fans something to cheer about.

“It’s fantastic, I started very well,” Bezzecchi said.

“I just tried to keep my rhythm, and I felt very good on the bike.”

Pole sitter Bagnaia was overtaken on the first turn as Marc Marquez and Jack Miller started fast. Marquez and Miller swapped the lead in the first half of the race but Bezzecchi applied constant pressure and was handed a penalty for forcing Marquez off, before edging in front on the 10th lap.

Once Bezzecchi had the lead, the Italian did not look back as he surged away to take victory and make up significant ground on Bagnaia, who crashed out early on in the race.

The 1 000th premierclass race in the sport had no shortage of drama.

Reigning champion Bagnaia was competing with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales 22 laps from the end when contact on a risky overtaking move caused both riders to crash out of the race. Tempers flared and Vinales confronted the championship leader and shoved him before the pair were separated.

On the same lap, Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez and Luca Marini of VR46 Ducati were involved in a crash, with Marquez emerging unscathed despite landing in the middle of the track.

Six-time world champion Marc Marquez looked on course for a podium finish on his from a hand injury, as he engaged in a fierce battle with Martin for second place. But the Spaniard pushed his Honda a little too far as he crashed out after making a mistake with two laps to go.