Scott Redding ‘over the moon’ at Moto2 deal

Scott Redding has spoken of his delight and relief at clinching a top ride in the new Moto2 600cc world championship in 2010.

The 17-year-old has signed a deal to join the new Marc VDS Racing Team and will partner Belgian rider Vincent Lonbois in the squad that will be spearheaded by former Kawasaki MotoGP boss Michael Bartholemy.

Redding’s deal, revealed by MCN one week ago, ends a nightmare period for the Gloucestershire rider, who feared his promising young career had stalled after a disappointing 2009 campaign in the 125GP world championship.

A series of technical issues with his Blusens Aprilia seriously hampered his development after a stunning debut campaign in 2008.

Redding remains the youngest rider in history ever to win a Grand Prix following his memorable home win in the British GP at Donington Park in 2008, and his performances caught the eye of Bartholemy.

Redding will race the Suter MMX machines in 2010, designed and built by former Grand Prix racer, Eskil Suter.

The 600cc four-stroke machines will be delivered to the Marc VDS Racing Team at the end of January, with the team scheduled to start testing during February.

And Redding is eager to get going and said: “I’m over the moon to have signed up with the Marc VDS Racing Team for the coming season.

“I’ve spoken with Michael Bartholemy a few times now and the whole set-up seems ultra-professional, which I’m obviously pleased about.

“I’ve already tested a couple of the Moto2 bikes and first impressions were good, but I can’t wait to try the Suter MMX machine out in February.

“I saw the bike on track during its initial shakedown tests at the end of last year, so it will be interesting to see how it has evolved when I test it for the first time in February.

“In the meantime I’m focussing on my fitness, but I’ve also got to fit in some driving lessons as well.

“I only turned 17 on 4th January and I’ve already passed the theory test for my licence, but the practical test may be a bit more difficult, especially with all the snow we’ve got in the UK at the moment!”

Redding will be a lone British entrant in the new Moto2 class with Bradley Smith and Danny Webb remaining in the 125cc class.

Redding’s new team mate, Vincent Lonbois, brings a wealth of experience aboard 600cc four-stroke machines, as he makes the step up from the European Superstock 600 Championship, in which he placed third in 2009.

The 19-year-old, who lives in Waterloo near Brussels, racked up six podium finishes during the course of the season, including two back-to-back race wins about his MTM Racing Yamaha.