MotoGP: Redding wins Phillip Island scrap for seventh

Scott Redding emerged victorious from the biggest scrap of Sunday’s race at Phillip Island, after coming out on top of the fight for seventh that involved up to six riders at one point, and securing one of his best results on the season in the process.

The Pramac Ducati rider had a satisfying weekend after overcoming rear grip problems on Saturday, something that has plagued him all season.

“It was a hard day, because in warm-up we were completely in the shit. I was riding over the limit, and I was expecting a shit race. We changed the bike a lot, and in the start of the race I had to find my confidence again, but once that came so did my feeling with the bike, and I could start to build my speed.

“When we were battling, I wasn’t over my limit. I was comfortable right up until the rear grip dropped off at the end. Overall, from the weekend we had, I’m really pleased with the result at the end.”

And even more importantly for Redding as he and teammate Danilo Petrucci continue to scrap out for the team’s only GP17 next season, he was also able to hold off the Italian to gain back some valuable points in that fight.

“With Danilo starting sixth and getting to third I thought that it was game over for me. But I got my head down and started picking away at them. It shows that sometimes, not giving up does pay off!”

With another strong finish at Phillip Island, Redding has now closed down the points lead that Petrucci enjoys in their intra-team championship to seven points, helping his chances if he hopes to secure the same spec machine as the factory Ducati riders come net year.