Autosportfoto

Aprilia MotoGP outcast Redding seals 2019 British Superbike switch

Aprilia MotoGP rider Scott Redding will switch to the domestic British Superbike Championship next year.

The 25-year-old, who will lose his Aprilia ride to Andrea Iannone, will join forces with the Paul Bird Motorsport-run Be Wiser Ducati outfit.

"It's fantastic to be coming to BSB, it's a championship I've never raced in and learning the circuits is very much part of the challenge which I'm looking forward to," said Redding.

"This is very exciting for me with a very competitive bike and the most successful team and I'm here to show what I can do.

"We will make the right preparations and I'm delighted the first round will be at Silverstone where I have great memories.

"MotoGP is tough and without the correct packages, it's hard to win but BSB is at such a high level, I want to prove I'm capable of winning.

"It's also a new experience and very important that I can race in front of my loyal fans in the UK more regularly."

Redding has been part of the grand prix racing paddock since 2008, and joined MotoGP in 2014 after finishing runner-up in Moto2.

After stints with Gresini Honda, Marc VDS Honda and Pramac Ducati - where he scored two podiums - Redding joined Aprilia for 2018, but it was made official by early June that he would not keep his ride beyond the season.

Redding was initially sceptical about a move to British Superbikes, but was then pipped to his preferred Moto2 ride by fellow MotoGP outcast Tom Luthi and has now settled for a top ride in the national series.

"Scott and I go back a long way and I'm delighted to continue our relationship in this latest chapter of his career," said Paul Bird, who ran Redding early in his career in junior categories.

"He's a quality rider, as is anyone who can win a grand prix and we are confident he will be a title fighter in BSB aboard the Be Wiser Ducati next season."

PBM won the British Superbikes title last year with Shane Byrne, but the six-time champion was ruled out of action early in 2018 after sustaining multiple fractures in a testing crash.

Bird confirmed Byrne will not return to the team next year, which leaves the identity of Redding's team-mate unclear as the team's other regular rider Glenn Irwin has sealed a switch to JG Speedfit Kawasaki for 2019.

Zdroj: autosport.com