British MotoGP: Scott Redding sixth in rain-lashed Moto2 practice

Scott Redding made a wet but morale-boosting start to his home race in Silverstone today when the British teenager logged the sixth best time in a rain-hit Moto2 practice session. 

Redding, who has a 100 per cent podium record in the British Grand Prix, was languishing outside of the top 30 at one stage as the Moto2 session was disrupted by the worst of the conditions on the opening day at Silverstone.

But the 17-year-old, who has a victory and a third in his previous two British Grand Prix appearances at Donington Park, brilliantly clawed his way back into contention in tricky conditions.   

A best lap of 2.29.267 on his final lap was just 1.274s off provisional pole and 0.078s off the top five.

The Gloucestershire rider said: “I had no feeling at all with the bike at the start of the session. The rear felt like it was losing traction everywhere and there was no feedback at all from the front. We made some changes to the suspension and this improved things a lot.

“The circuit is pretty good, but you need to be a bit careful in some parts when it’s wet. The level of grip changes and some of the older sections like Luffield are really slippery. The same is true of the kerbs, some you can use and others you have to steer clear of in the wet.

“I felt pretty comfortable turning some faster laps at the end of the session, but I did have a bit of a moment coming out of the final turn when the bike sent completely sideways and tried to spit me off.

“It was shaking so hard it made me dizzy! I think we’re good for tomorrow, whatever the weather conditions, but I guess we’ll only find out for sure in free practice in the morning.”

Redding’s experienced crew chief Pete Benson, who has previously worked with Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, added:”It was a good session today from Scott. We had a few set-up issues at the start of the session, but he stayed out there as long as he could and learnt his way around the circuit. Once we made some changes to the suspension he was able to go much quicker, as his feeling with the bike was better.

“This track seems to suit our bike and Scott’s riding style pretty well and I think we can improve further tomorrow, but we’ll have to see what the weather holds for us. Scott’s knee certainly seems to have improved with treatment but, again, we won’t know for sure until we get the chance to put together a long run in dry conditions. But, at the moment, it all looks quite promising.”

Qatar winner Shoya Tomizawa topped the timesheets with a best lap of 2.28.020 that was 0.582s faster than wet weather specialist Anthony West.

Championship leader Toni Elias was way down the rankings in 22nd with a best time of 2.31.407.