Binder poised for Moto2 graduation with KTM

The South African rider holds a commanding advantage of 67 points in the Moto3 standings following last weekend's Spielberg race, in which nearest rival Jorge Navarro crashed and Romano Fenati failed to start after being suspended by his own team.

Binder, 21, has long been tipped for a move up to Moto2 in 2017, with the vacancy left by MotoGP-bound Johann Zarco at the Ajo squad - which runs KTM's factory operation in Moto3 - the logical destination.

However, it has emerged in recent weeks that Binder is set to not ride the class standard Kalex bike, but instead an all-new bespoke KTM chassis with WP suspension as part of a two-year agreement with the Austrian marque.

Current Leopard rider Miguel Oliveira, Binder's Ajo KTM teammate in Moto3 last year, is also set to join the new-look squad.

"We have the contract, and everything is looking really good," said Binder on Sunday. "We’re just changing a bit of the wording, but the base is done.

"Hopefully this afternoon we sign the contract to go up to Moto2.

"So far everything sounds positive [about the bike], but it will be difficult because it’s a brand new bike and Kalex are so strong."

"I know I'm going to get a hiding!"

Binder admitted that riding an unproven bike is likely to make his debut Moto2 season a challenge, particularly given the struggles of past Moto3 champions - including Sandro Cortese, Alex Marquez and Danny Kent - to be competitive in the intermediate class.

He said: "I know it’s going to be hard, I know I’m going to go there and get a hiding! But it’s one of those things in a way that I look forward to, because I really enjoy it when things don’t go perfectly and you have to work as hard as you can.

"The combination of Aki [Ajo] and the guys I have now, we understand each other really now and it will be a fun project.

Asked whether having the security of a two-year deal will help in 2017, Binder added: "For sure. It can keep you more relaxed, because if things don’t happen the first year you have a whole another season to work things out.

"I’ve so much confidence in my team. Obviously I have to work a lot myself, but the people around can guide me and we can do a good job."