Scott Redding got his bid for a 2021 WorldSBK Championship title tilt off to a positive start at Motorland Aragon with a confidence-boosting win in the final race of the day spurred on by a tyre gamble in mixed conditions.
After opening his 2021 account with a run to fourth in race one, last year’s runner-up produced what he called one of the ‘worst races of his career’ when he opted for wet tyres on a drying track for the 10-lap Superpole encounter.
Hoping the cool conditions and short race length would negate the drying track, Redding briefly led on the opening lap. However, he was already behind the Kawasakis by lap two, which preceded a steady slide down the order as intermediate-shod rivals eased by, leaving him eighth at the flag.
Refusing to play it so safe for race two held in similar conditions,, Redding went the other way this time with slick tyres compared to the vast majority on inters.
One of only two riders to do so, while fellow gambler Chaz Davies’ lap one crash proved the risk involved, Redding kept his cool to stay with the leaders during the tricky opening laps before mounting his attack on the front
Taking the lead and control by lap six, Aruba Ducati rider Redding eased home the winner by ten seconds from Jonathan Rea.
“In these conditions you have to be able to assess the situation and make the right choice. I made the wrong choice and the result was one of the worst races in my career.”
Despite his redeeming finale, Redding was unenthused about his performance on a disappointing weekend all round for Aruba.it Ducati that saw Michael Ruben Rinaldi - a winner in Aragon last year - well down the order on his factory debut.
“Last year I came away from Aragon with three podiums and this year with just nine points, which means we have to find the feeling we were missing. I am motivated and together with the team I will try to turn over a new leaf in the next race.”
