valencia – Scott Redding #45

Scott Redding finishes eleventh in chaotic rain-hit Valencia GP

Scott Redding kept his cool and made it through a chaotic Valencia GP to eventually finish eleventh, whilst teammate Aleix Espargaró crashed in the early stages of the Valencia GP, a race troubled by the rain – and decimated by the numerous crashes – which also forced officials to wave the red flag and schedule a second start for the riders who had managed to stay in the saddle.

After the interruption in the fourteenth lap due to the increasing rainfall, Scott Redding started from the ninth spot at the second start and finished eleventh.

SCOTT REDDING
“This was a rather dangerous race. At the start, I couldn’t see anything, there was so much water being kicked up by the other bikes. Only when I had some free track in front of me was I able to pick up the pace a bit. The bike was doing a lot of aquaplaning, like the others were, and the numerous crashes are a demonstration of that. I think it would have been right to stop the race earlier than it was. The conditions were truly risky. I think that my biggest limitation today was the rear tyre cooling down. I was constantly at the limit with grip, even trying to take it very easy on the throttle. After the second start, things were substantially the same for me and, considering the many riders who retired, at a certain point I was just thinking about taking home the best possible result.”

Scott starts from the eighth row in Valencia finale

After yesterday’s practice sessions for the season-ending Valencia GP when he had shown signs of competitiveness, Scott Redding ran into some difficult qualifiers today and in the end had to settle for the eighth row with a time of 1’35.171. However, given his pace in the wet, the conditions forecast for tomorrow could put him in play for a good performance.

SCOTT REDDING
“In the wet we were able to find a bit of improvement, but with the track drying out, I didn’t have the same good feeling as yesterday. In the grip changes, the bike gets twitchy and I lost confidence, which is a factor that limited me quite a bit in qualifying. The race should be in the rain and that could help us, although it won’t be easy starting from behind.”

Valencia post-season Test Report

The post-race tests in Valencia after the end of the season always take on particular importance. In fact, they are the first step in the new championship season, both for any team changes and for technical upgrades.

The Aprilia camp has both variables. On one side of the garage, Aleix Espargaró worked primarily on the characteristics that will be introduced on the new RS-GP: different weight distribution and a new geometry with consequent ergonomic changes that will be analysed again in the next tests at Jerez before being implemented on the 2018 bike.

Over the past two days Scott Redding took his first steps in the Gresini Racing Aprilia squad. The English rider used the two days to settle in with the RS-GP and the technical staff that will be following him, alternating track runs with long exchanges of opinions with his crew.

Much time was also dedicated to adjusting the ergonomics of the bike to Scott’s build and anything that could not be adapted in Valencia will obviously be implemented on the new version of the Aprilia MotoGP bike.

SCOTT REDDING
“These were two interesting days. There is a lot of work to do to adapt the RS-GP to my characteristics, starting with the dimensions. All the information we are gathering will obviously have an impact on the 2018 bike. For now, my goal is to gain familiarity with the bike’s character which is definitely different than what I was used to. Aleix is doing a great job and demonstrating Aprilia’s potential. I am confident because I feel like part of the project. The team gave me a fantastic welcome. I like their work methods and I have tried to give them the best possible feedback. Valencia is not my favourite track and hopping on a new bike after a race weekend is no simple task, so that’s why we worked without trying to do a time attack.”

Unfortunate DNF ends Scott’s Valencia GP and 2017

The 2017 MotoGP season gave great emotions to Octo Pramac Racing, with Scott Redding having a good start of the season and now ready for a new adventure.

In the Grand Prix de la Comunitat Valenciana, Scott started well recovering 8 positions and tried to push hard even though the feeling with the bike was not the best.

The English rider’s race sadly ended on lap 14 due to a crash at turn 1, closing a season where he has worked tirelessly and raced hard to get the best results for the squad, which he now leaves for Aprilia.

Scott Redding
“I’m sorry to have finished the season with a crash, but the feeling with the bike wasn’t good. However, I am satisfied for these two years. I had a great relationship with the whole team with whom I worked to overcome the difficulties. The relationship with Pramac Racing is a bond that will remain in the future. Thank you to all the guys who have worked to put me in a position to give my best”.

Scott takes fourteenth as 2016 comes to a close in Valencia

The 2016 MotoGP season finished with a rather complex Sunday for Scott Redding, finishing 14th at the chequered flag at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia.

Scott started well gaining the twelfth position. On lap 10, however, a mistake forced him to lose three positions. The British rider tried to push but he could not find the right feeling to find a faster pace.

14th – Scott Redding
“We had so many difficulties. This morning I felt the front closing twice and I nearly crashed in the warm up. It was not a problem with the bike, but it was a lack of feeling between me and the bike. Early in the race, I felt pretty good but as the rear tire started to lose grip on left corners, it was really tough. I must say that I am satisfied with my season. I have shown I can make important results. Now I want to improve.”

Source: Pramac