Binder tops Japan MotoGP practice, Martin third

MOTEGI: South Africa’s Brad Binder clocked the fastest time in practice for the Japan MotoGP on Friday, with championship leader Jorge Martin finishing third.

Red Bull KTM rider Binder laid down a fastest lap of 1min 43.436sec at a cloudy Motegi, 0.033 ahead of Spain’s six-time world champion Marc Marquez in second.

Spaniard Martin, who holds a 21-point lead over nearest rival Francesco Bagnaia in the overall standings with five races remaining, was 0.132 off Binder’s pace.

Italy’s Bagnaia...