Image: Russell Colvin.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder and Jorge Martin were unmatched in Moto2 on their way to a 1-2 result during this afternoon’s race at the 2019 Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Binder kept his title hopes alive in a race that saw world championship leader Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) cross the line in eighth position – 33 points now the difference with two races remaining.

While South African Binder – who will step up to MotoGP in the factory Red Bull KTM team in 2020 – overcame the challenge of teammate Martin by 1.968s, with veteran Thomas Luthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) rounding out the podium finishers and currently second in the standings. Pole-setter Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) was fourth, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (FLEXBOX HP 40).

Australian ace Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) put forward a strong effort for a sixth-place this afternoon at home. He was followed by MotoGP-bound Iker Lecuona (American Racing), Marquez, Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Temporary Forward Racing) and second of the SAG Team entries, Tetsuta Nagashima, in 10th.

Drama struck Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Marco Bezzechi (Red Bull KTM Tech3) on the opening lap when both crashed out, courtesy of an error made by Lecuona into turn four. He also ran wide and was later dealt with a long lap penalty on his way to salvaging P7.

Detailed results