Scott Redding targets consistent podium challenge

British teenager Scott Redding believes his first Moto2 podium for over 18 months in Le Mans last weekend will help him become a consistent top three contender in 2012.

Redding mastered treacherous conditions in France to put his Marc VDS Racing machine in third place to secure his first podium since he was second in the 2010 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

The 19-year-old has been in impressive form throughout 2012 after a switch to the Kalex frame and only once in the opening four races has he not figured inside the top six.

He is currently fifth in the overall standings and buoyed by his podium return in Le Mans he is now determined to pose a consistent rostrum threat.

He told MCN: “I’ve been threatening that result in Le Mans all season but for whatever reason it hasn’t all come together on race day. I’ve been slowing building up momentum from the first race in Qatar and even though I was 11th in Estoril, I was battling close to the front in the early stages.

“The target was to be consistently in the top five this season and so far I’m doing that, but the podium gives me a lot of confidence, especially because I haven’t been that competitive in the wet recently.”

Redding is also hoping a new riding technique will help him fight at the front in forthcoming races.

He tried successfully to calm some of his trademark aggression in Le Mans and he said: “I’m just trying to be a lot less aggressive, particularly getting on the throttle. I’ve worked a lot with my team-mate Mika Kallio and his data because he’s just as fast but a lot smoother and patient on the throttle.

“My weight and size means I can abuse the tyre a lot more than the rest, so I need to work on anything that can help me conserve the tyre for longer.”