Scott Redding poised for Moto2 deal

Scott Redding’s anxious wait on his world championship future appears to be over, with MCN learning the British teenager is poised to clinch a Moto2 deal for 2010.

Redding has been sweating on his future having been left without a ride for next season after he endured a torrid 125GP campaign with the Spanish-based Blusens Aprilia squad in 2009.

But the 16-year-old, who is the youngest rider in history to win a Grand Prix, is on the brink of signing a deal to ride for a new Belgian Moto2 outfit headed by former factory Kawasaki boss Michael Bartholemy.

Redding’s management have been locked in talks with Bartholemy since early December about a slot in an ambitious Belgian motorsport project that will run under the banner of the Marc VDS Racing Teams.

It features the Moto2 project and three car racing projects. Former Belgian MotoGP podium finisher Didier de Radigues is also involved in the Moto2 effort that Redding will ride for.

Bartholemy is a long-time admirer of highly rated Gloucestershire rider Redding, who burst onto the world championship scene in stunning fashion at the start of 2008.

Redding claimed a front row start on his 125GP debut in Qatar and he became the youngest rider in history to win a Grand Prix in 2008 when he stormed to a brilliant victory in the British GP at Donington Park.

Bartholemy, who ran Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP effort in 2007 and 2008 before the Japanese factory quit a year ago, told MCN last month: “Ever since the first race in Qatar in 2008 when he qualified on the front row, I have kept a close eye on Scott.

“What he did in 2008, including his win in the British GP, impressed me a lot and I have maintained an interest in him ever since.

“He is a young rider who obviously has a lot of talent and he is somebody I have a big interest in for our Moto2 project.

“He didn’t have a great 2009 but that was more down to the performance of the bike and I believe he could be a big success in Moto2.

Redding tested the FTR and Kalex Moto2 bikes prior to Christmas and he told MCN: “Having ridden the FTR bike recently I’d love to be in Moto2.

“The bike I rode was awesome and it only had a standard Honda CBR600RR engine.

“I’d never ridden a four-stroke before and even though I only did about 20 laps on the FTR bike, I’m sure I could be competitive next season if I was in Moto2.

“It should be a great championship and one I’m desperate to be part of it.”