What Binder needs to do to become MotoGP’s Rookie of the Year

South African Red Bull KTM Rider Brad Binder heads into the final Premier Class Grand Prix of 2020 on the brink of sealing MotoGP Rookie of the Year status.

What Binder needs to do in Portugal to become Rookie of the year

Binder’s fifth-place finish at the Valencian Grand Prix moved him up to 87 World Championship points and he is the only rookie in the field to have claimed a win this season. He holds a 20 point advantage over Honda’s Alex Marquez while the third rookie in the field Iker Lecuona has been ruled out of the race following his positive test for the coronavirus, and is out of the running for the honour.

Marquez needs to win the Portuguese MotoGP to stand any chance of scooping the Rookie of the Year honour. While the brother of eight-time world champion Marc, has shown great race pace at times this season, he also suffered a vicious highside at the Valencian Grand Prix. While he was medically cleared to race he struggled and finished outside of the points which gives Binder a big advantage.

Binder can clinch MotoGP’s Rookie of the year with a top ten finish at the Algarve International Circuit on Sunday 22 November, the six points on offer for tenth place would be enough to pip Marquez even if he wins the Portuguese Grand Prix. 

Watch: Marquez’s brutal highside

Binder has put in a rookie season that shows a great deal of promise and given the full support of his team could possibly propel Red Bull into the MotoGP championship discussion in the near future.

Suzuki rider Joan Mir was crowned MotoGP world champion at the Valencian Grand Prix on Sunday 15 November.

MotoGP Championship standings