Scott Redding improving in Jerez

Scott Redding is confident he is finally mastering the new factory spec 2009 Aprilia 125GP bike after an improved performance on the second day of testing in Jerez.

The Gloucestershire rider made big progress with chassis confidence today as he ended sixth fastest on a day run in almost perfect sunny conditions.

The Blusens Aprilia rider clocked a best time of 1.48.418 to finish less than a second slower than dominant Spaniard Julian Simon, who was quickest again.

Redding was only 0.017s off a top five finish this afternoon and he told MCN: “I am finally getting my confidence with the chassis on the new bike.

“It is a lot more rigid than the frame I used last year and I’ve been finding it hard to get confident. Today was much better than yesterday and I was half-a-second quicker.

“I can now get on the bike and it feels like my bike now. I’ve been having chatter going into the faster corners and it is a case of trying to ride through it while keeping the bike underneath me.”

Bradley Smith’s Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon was again quickest today as he clocked a best time of 1.47.465.

The Spaniard has dominated winter testing so far, but Italian Andrea Iannone slashed his margin at the top to just 0.065s today.

Aspar Aprilia rider Smith ended the day with the third best time. The 18-year-old logged a best of 1.48.301, but he was still 0.771s off Simon’s pace.