The predicted change in weather on Phillip Island in Australia made for exceedingly treacherous conditions, to which LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Team rider Darryn Binder fell victim.

The Australian Grand Prix will be remembered. Not because of the exciting race, but much more for what was probably the shortest race of the season. The rain thriller lasted less than half the race distance, with a total of nine riders unable to withstand the adverse conditions.

Unfortunately, Darryn also joined this list, although the South African had made a good start from ninth place and held on to eighth place within the first few corners in the thick spray. The 25-year-old only managed to stay on his Kalex for three laps before the fate of the crash caught up with him. Fortunately, he was unhurt and the loss of points was acceptable, as only half the points were awarded due to the shortened race.

For the Thailand Grand Prix in just a week’s time, the chances are good that the sun will shine again and the two LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Team riders will return to full strength and confidence.

Darryn Binder

“It’s a very disappointing end to a really strong weekend. Everything has built up to this day. Even this morning in warm-up, I felt pretty confident, even though I knew it was going to be a really tricky race in the wet. But I felt good this morning, but when going on the grid, conditions were even worse from the warm-up to the race, so it was clear that it was going to be really tough. My goal was to stick with it at the beginning, to be careful with the tyre warm-up and everything, and to get off to a good start to the race. But unfortunately, on lap two or three the wind caught me in the first corner and the next thing was that the rear broke out and I was flicked off. I couldn’t do absolutely anything, which is really disappointing because I felt like I wasn’t going to do anything crazy, but it still got me. Anyway, it is what it is and luckily I’m fine, so I’m going into the next round and taking all the positives from this weekend, which was really strong until the race.”