Darryn Binder Secured the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship at COTA
South Africa’s Darryn Binder secured the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship this past weekend with a commanding Race 2 victory at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), wrapping up the title with one round of the championship still remaining.
The Celtic / Economy Lube + Tire / Warhorse Ducati rider made certain there would be no late-season drama, taking control of the race early and pulling clear of the field for a flag-to-flag victory. The result marked Binder’s tenth race win of the season and completed a dominant weekend for the South African, who swept both races at the Texas circuit.
Binder’s closest championship rival, Josh Herrin, could manage only seventh place, a result that mathematically ended his title hopes and confirmed Binder as the 2026 champion. While one round remained on the calendar, featuring three races, Binder’s points advantage could no longer be overhauled.
With Binder comfortably clear at the front, the battle for the remaining podium positions was fiercely contested. Harrison Voight, Joshua Hayes, Kayla Yaakov and Mikey Lou Sanchez exchanged positions throughout the race, with the group separated by less than a second during the closing stages.
Sanchez produced one of the rides of the race after an ignition issue on the warm-up lap forced him to start from the back of the grid. The 16-year-old Texan charged from 26th to eighth by the end of the opening lap before fighting his way into podium contention at his home circuit.
Sanchez crossed the line in second ahead of Voight, but his result was later overturned following a post-race technical inspection by the FIM North America Stewards, which found his motorcycle to be underweight. His disqualification promoted Voight to second and Joshua Hayes to third, with Hayes also setting the fastest lap of the race with a 2:13.047.
For Binder, the race was about completing the job and celebrating an outstanding championship campaign. His COTA victory brought his season tally to ten wins and 368 championship points, underlining the consistency and competitiveness that had defined his title-winning season.
Speaking after the race, Binder explained that he had quickly realised he had the pace to control the contest.
“Really happy. This morning I felt like I had the pace to try and get away. I got to the front as quick as I could and put my head down, opened up a little gap and just tried to manage it.”
The achievement was made even more special by having his family present at the circuit.
“I got my mom and dad here this weekend as well as my wife. To get the championship done with them here is extra special for me.”
Binder also paid tribute to the people and organisations behind his success throughout the season.
“I can’t thank the team enough. Everyone, Celtic, Economy Lube, Warhorse, HSBK. Thank you, guys, so much for everything this year. It’s been a real treat. Made racing fun again for me, so thank you, guys.”
The championship represented a significant achievement for Binder and another proud moment for South African motorcycle racing on the international stage. With the title secured, attention turned to the final round, where Binder could focus on closing out an exceptional season in style.
Congratulations to Darryn Binder and the entire Celtic / Economy Lube + Tire / Warhorse Ducati team on becoming the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Champions.