Redding fights back with podium after tyre choice ‘mistake’

Scott Redding says he is pleased to end Bennetts British Superbike Championship weekend at Brands Hatch GP with a podium result after his tyre choice ‘mistake’ in race one cost him the series lead.

The ex-MotoGP rider came into the fourth round armed with the BSB lead following a tremendous triple triumph at Donington Park and proved instantly competitive despite it being his first visit to the Kent venue.

Qualifying on pole position for race one, Redding’s relative BSB inexperience however told when he selected an intermediate rear on a damp track – unlike every other riders that went for full wets front and rear – and plummeted down the order, slipping to last of all in just a few corners.

It took until the latter stages of the 20 lap race for him to recover time as the track dried but while it wasn’t enough to score any points, he did set the fastest lap to get another shot from pole position in race two.

A dry race this time, Redding lost out to Be Wiser PBM Ducati team-mate Josh Brookes at the start but after tailing him closely during the first-half of the race began to fade in the closing stages to a distant third place.

Despite this, Redding – who remains second in the standings – was pleased to conclude the weekend on a positive note.

“Some people may not have thought a podium was possible for me this weekend, but we were quick straightaway which raised expectations.

“However, I knew that whilst I was quick for a few laps, doing it over the full race distance would be a lot more difficult particularly as I’m still learning the bike and the tyres.

“At the moment, I’m using the rear tyre in the wrong way and although I tried to hold onto the leaders, I ended up making a few mistakes so settled for the position and brought the bike home in third. I made a mistake in the first race with the tyre choice, so I’m pleased to come back with a podium.”