Scott Redding: ‘It still hasn’t sunk in yet.’

Scott Redding aims to make a track return in Valencia next Monday as the British teenager struggles to come to terms with the tragic death of Shoya Tomizawa in Misano.

The Japanese rider died after suffering major head, chest and abdominal trauma when he crashed out of the leading group in last Sunday’s Moto2 race at the Misano circuit.

Alex de Angelis and Redding, who had no chance to take evasive action, then struck the Technomag-CIP rider.

Redding was lucky to escape serious injury in the high-speed incident as he was thrown violently from his Marc VDS Racing machine before coming to a rest over 100 metres from the point of impact.

The 17-year-old, who was running in sixth position at the time, suffered a nasty laceration in his lower back that required 12 stitches.

Redding has been recuperating in Spain this week with close friend and 125GP rider Danny Webb but he plans to return to action at a one-day test for his Belgian squad in Valencia next Monday.

Redding will then compete in the Motorland Aragon Grand Prix on September in what is certain to be an emotional weekend as the paddock mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars.

Redding said: “I was gutted when I found out the news about Tomi and it still hasn’t really sunk in yet. He was a really good guy and will definitely be missed in the paddock and on the track.

“My thoughts are with his family, friends and team, who all suffered a huge loss at the weekend.”

Redding was momentarily knocked unconscious in the crash and still has no recollection of the incident.

He added: “I don’t remember anything about the crash. One minute I was on the gas as normal and the rest is just a blank. I haven’t seen the crash on television, and I don’t want to, but I do know that I was very lucky to escape serious injury.

“The wound to my back is already improving, and I’m determined to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

“We have a one-day test at Valencia next week, which will give me a chance to check everything is okay with my back, before heading to Aragon for the next race.”