A rider known for guts, adaptability, and sheer determination, Brad Binder’s strengths may align perfectly with the demands of the next generation of MotoGP machines. Brad Binder is back in the MotoGP saddle for another season, a welcome sight for South African fans after what was arguably his toughest campaign yet. Last year, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider battled a bike that simply didn’t hit the mark in terms of competitiveness and development, leaving him unable to consistently contend with the frontrunners.
Yet, his resilience and grit kept him fighting, even when the machinery under him wasn’t ideal, even securing a P10 position in Misano. Behind the scenes, the Austrian marque faced far deeper challenges than just on-track performance. KTM’s parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, found itself in a severe financial crisis in late 2024 and into 2025, with debts reportedly around €3 billion and plunging sales forcing drastic restructuring.
At one point, KTM even paused bike development on the RC16 to prioritise wider corporate survival, meaning winter development for the upcoming season was delayed or shelved as cash was tightly managed. In a sport where every upgrade counts, that pause was felt dramatically on track. The restructuring plan required a one-time payment to creditors and resulted in a significant reduction in net debt, bringing equity back into positive territory and giving KTM the breathing room it needed.
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Bajaj Auto’s increased control, now owning a majority stake, stabilised KTM’s future and allowed the brand to recommit to its ongoing MotoGP project, reassuring riders, staff, and fans that the RC16’s development could continue. In the paddock, this has manifested as renewed focus and some momentum toward future bikes, albeit with a leaner structure after years of upheaval. The 2027 Technical ResetEven as KTM navigates its recovery on the business side, a major shake-up in MotoGP regulations for 2027 offers a fresh competitive landscape — one that could potentially suit KTM and Binder better than the status quo. The 2027 rule package is one of the largest technical overhauls the sport has seen in a while:
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