Scott Redding buoyed by Moto2 weight limit for 2013

Scott Redding’s 2013 world title hopes got a huge early boost in Valencia last weekend when a minimum weight limit was approved for the Moto2 class.

A minimum weight limit of 215kg will be enforced, which includes the bike and rider in full racing kit.

The move was a victory for Redding and his Marc VDS Racing squad, who have repeatedly lobbied MotoGP bosses for a minimum weight limit in a bid to tip the scales in favour of the bulkier riders.

Weighing in at 74kg, Redding is the heaviest rider in Moto2 and he has frequently bemoaned the performance disadvantage compared to featherweight riders like newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez, who is 15kg lighter.

When weighed in full riding kit at Phillip Island recently, Redding’s total weight was 87.7kg. It is understood Marquez’s weight in full riding kit was just over 70kg.
The combined weight of Redding and his Kalex bike is 227.2kg, which means the British teenager will still be over 12kg above the minimum weight.

Teammate Mika Kallio’s combined weight is 208.8kg, so the Finn will need to carry almost 7kg of ballast. Next year’s title favourite Pol Espargaro though may only have to carry around 2 or 3kg of ballast.

Redding’s team was hoping for a 220kg combined minimum weight limit but he told MCN: “It is a start and better than a flick in the nose. It will make it a little bit fairer for me. At least there is a limit so a couple of the smaller riders will have to put some weight on. If I can lose a bit of weight and get the gap to 10kg, it is better than the huge difference of now.”