Cycle News

ROUND 10 / AUGUST 18-20, 2023 RED BULL RING / SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA MOTOGP I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P88 day GP was more so. The top two were a replica, with gradually eas- ing away over the course of 28 grueling laps to win by 5.1 sec- onds from Binder, but this time Marco Bezzecchi led a Mooney VR46 fightback by taking third, 1.3 seconds up on his teammate Marini as team owner Valentino Rossi and crew celebrated in the pits with three VR46 Academy riders—Bagnaia, Bezzecchi and Marini—in the top four. "Sincerely, I'm very happy," Bag - naia said. "I had a very good start, got in front immediately and tried to manage as much as possible. In the first phase, I was just trying Ducati), while Jack Miller's (Red Bull KTM) home-hopeful week - end for his employers didn't start in the style he expected 11 seconds back in fifth place, half a second up on Pol Espargaro (GasGas Factory Racing Tech3) in his best ride of the year so far. The top 10 was rounded out by Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Rac - ing), teammate Vinales, Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda). Sunday MotoGP If the Sprint race was a some- what processional affair, the Sun- with the soft rear. It's good to finish a race, but obviously we are aiming for more and we need to keep on work- ing. It's been a busy weekend here in Austria and now we see what's possible in Montmelo." 14 TONY ARBOLINO 6TH MOTO2 "Honestly, I didn't feel so bad," Tony Arbolino said. "My feeling wasn't so different compared to Friday and yesterday. I was just trying to make my rhythm, but it was difficult. We knew this wasn't going to be an easy race, and things weren't coming eas- ily to me on the bike. But it's like this. I'm not doubting myself at all. I was giving my maximum throughout, and that's the most important thing. I'm already looking forward to Barcelona, which is like my second home race because I live there now. I'll be so prepared for it so I can try to be back on the podium." MYOWNRACE NEW BINDER CONTRACT Brad Binder signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with KTM until 2026. Both the South African and the Austrian factory saw the other party as the ideal partner as they seek to take KTM to the top of MotoGP in the years to come. "We've been together since 2015; we've had hard times and we've had great times, too," said Binder, fresh from a fine second place in the Sprint race. "One thing that sticks out to me is they've always stuck by me when I haven't been at my best. We've also had some times where it's been a bit challenging on the technical side, but we've always made our way through. I feel at home with KTM. I'm really honored that they've put their trust and faith in me for the next few seasons. I look forward to hopefully many great results going forward." ZARCO TO LCR HONDA Johann Zarco will replace Alex Rins at LCR Honda after a deal was announced at the Red Bull Ring. "I had to think for a few weeks about it," Johann Zarco Briefly... Brand Binder (33) tried all he knew but had nothing for the World Champion.

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