Yesterday afternoon, Yamaha announced that South African Moto3 star, and little brother of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Darryn Binder, will be racing a Yamaha MotoGP bike in 2022. He?ll be partnering Andrea Dovizioso in the rebranded RNF MotoGP Team, Yamaha?s satellite squad.

Had Darryn spent the last two years racing in Moto2, this would be a big step. But he hasn?t. The long-haired 23 year old spent the last seven years racing in the Moto3 World Championship. So it?s not a big step, it?s an massive one. He?s going to have a lot to learn, and he?ll have to learn it fast.

There will be some that say spending seven years on a 50bhp Moto3 bike doesn?t really prepare you for a 250bhp MotoGP bike. It?d be like spending a few years riding round town on a moped, and then buying yourself a 200bhp R1. Sort of.
Except its not really like that at all. Yes, the difference in performance between a Moto3 bike and a MotoGP bike is astronomical. And yes, Darryn?s going to have to have his work cut out. But it?s not an impossible task. And don?t forget, the lad has spent a lot of years racing in a world championship (albeit on a small bike), so he knows the tracks, he knows the paddock but most importantly of all, he?s an absolute professional. And he?s got a team of absolute professionals around him.

Skillset

There is absolutely no question that Darryn Binder can ride a bike. He?s won races at international level; he?s one of the best in the world. It?s no...