While MotoGP rider, Brad Binder continues to fly the South African flag high around the world, 14-year old Oratilwe Phiri, has every intention of following in his footsteps while, one day, becoming the first black person to race in MotoGP.
Also read: Binder you biscuit! Brad Binder wins Austrian MotoGP
Ora, as he is known, has already been riding for roughly a decade thanks to an interest ignited by his motorcycle enthusiast father, Thabiso Phiri.
The teenager’s dream is also shared by coach Thabiso Khumalo, who believes Ora has the right mindset to make his mark in the MotoGP.
At 14, Ora is already on his way to achieving big things in motorbike racing, with 62 podium finishes to his name.
He recently came one step closer to fulfilling his dream and got the opportunity to meet his hero.
After watching a video in which Ora described Binder, well-known for becoming the first South African to win a MotoGP World Championship, as his ultimate hero, Checkers Sixty60 teamed up with Binder, Ora’s parents and a production crew to deliver the young athlete’s dream and undertaking to support Ora in his quest to become a world champion.
‘It was so amazing to meet the little guy, and to see the look on his face was priceless,’ Binder told News24 Sport.
‘For a child, you always look up to the guys on the big bikes and think, ‘Wow, that’s amazing!’ So, to have had the opportunity to go and really meet with Ora was incredible. It was amazing to have been part of this feel-good story.’
In an earlier interview with News24, Ora said: ‘I knew it was Brad because I know his bike and his style on the bike. Just like I know Marc Marquez and Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia.
‘It was just so much fun, but I also got to see for myself just how really good Brad is at riding on the track.’
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Picture: @BradBinder_33 / Twitter
