Binder reunites with Oliveira
Brad Binder’s next chapter starts on a production-based bike. BMW confirmed the South African will join its factory ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2027. Binder had been a fixture of the Grand Prix paddock since 2012. He had been exclusively riding KTMs since 2015, including the last seven seasons in the premier class.
Binder will line up alongside Miguel Oliveira, whose deal to stay with BMW for 2027 was confirmed last week, ahead of the French round at Magny-Cours. The pairing reunites two riders who already know each other’s habits intimately, having shared a garage across Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP during their KTM years. The two remain the only riders to have ever won a MotoGP race on a KTM.
With two riders signed for next season, Danilo Petrucci’s run in the BMW WorldSBK project will end after the 2026 season. BMW says it is exploring ways to keep the Italian involved elsewhere. “At the same time, we would like to thank Danilo for his tremendous commitment,” said Sven Blusch, head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “Together, we want to finish the current season strongly and are working towards a future together in other projects.”
Binder arrives with a strong résumé and stalled form. The 2016 Moto3 World Champion took two MotoGP wins – Brno in 2020, the first premier-class victory for KTM, and the Red Bull Ring in 2021 – while adding nine podiums and Sprint wins in Argentina and Jerez in 2023. His best championship result came that same year, fourth overall. Since the start of 2024, though, he hasn’t stood on a Grand Prix podium, his last being a second-place finish in Qatar. He currently sits 13th overall heading into this weekend’s round at Misano.
Blusch made BMW’s ambitions plain. “His goal is clear: he wants to fight for the World Championship title,” he said, while acknowledging Binder faces a learning curve on the M 1000 RR. “First of all, he will need to get accustomed to the BMW M 1000 RR and to a new World Championship, and we are confident that he will do so quickly.”
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