Binder: Body starting to 'adapt' to MotoGP, receiving advice from Brad, Wilco

After five days of MotoGP testing in a week, 'the body is starting to adapt to the big bike', says RNF Yamaha rookie Darryn Binder.

Robert Jones

09 Feb 2022

Darryn Binder, MotoGP, Sepang MotoGP test 6 February 2022
© Gold and Goose

Darryn Binder feels his adaptation to MotoGP machinery is getting significantly better following five days of testing in a week.

Binder, who took part in last week’s three-day Sepang MotoGP Shakedown before the official two-day test, is one of the riders that’s completed the most amount of laps during pre-season testing thus far.

Following the Shakedown test 'I felt really tired and sore' said Binder, however, with two days' rest in between, the new Yamaha rider felt differently after Sunday’s fifth day of action.

"So after five days I feel quite good," added Binder. "After the first three days I felt really tired, my body was quite sore, but having those two days rest and then coming back I feel the body is now starting to adapt to the big bike and to the muscles that it works.

"After today I’m feeling quite good. Step-by-step it’s only going to get better."

The 2022 season will see Binder make the step-up from Moto3 to MotoGP, which is the first time that’s happened since Jack Miller did so in 2015.

So given the jump in power and weight, not to mention understanding the Michelin tyres, electronics and brakes just to name a few, having experienced members around the South African can only be of benefit.

Unlike every MotoGP rider except Alex Marquez, Binder has a proven race winner as his brother (Brad Binder) to call upon for advice, while at RNF Yamaha the 24 year-old also has an ex-grand prix racer in Wilco Zeelenberg.

Speaking about the advice he’s so far received from both Brad and Zeelenberg, Binder said: "I’ve spoken to my brother a little bit but it was nothing serious. The advice is just keep pushing, keep learning, don’t do anything crazy.

"He always says ‘I think you’re doing a good job’, but nothing too crazy. I’ve just been working with the team and getting advice from the guys around me who know what’s going on and can see what direction to point me in.

"It’s been working really well. And yeah, Wilco is great and he’s a super nice guy (not because he’s standing here) but yeah, I really enjoy it.

"Today when we stopped for lunch he took me out on the scooter around the track to show me things he’s seen and that he wanted me to see.

"He’s always giving me tips on how to improve and how to work in MotoGP. It’s really been super helpful to have him giving me advice and I’m really happy to be working with him."