Scott Redding makes production Honda debut in Valencia

British rider Scott Redding has just completed his first laps in Valencia on board the Gresini Honda RCV1000R he will race in MotoGP next season.

The 20-year-old completed an initial run of six laps on the Honda production bike that has been developed in Japan with the help of double MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner.

Redding is still not 100% fit after struggling with the broken left wrist he suffered in a crash during last month’s Phillip Island round in Australia during the final race weekend in Valencia.

Redding then picked up a nasty lower back injury in a race crash at the Twin Ring Motegi that ended his Moto2 world championship battle with Spanish rival Pol Espargaro.

The Gloucestershire rider braved the pain barrier in yesterday’s final race in Valencia to secure a hard fought 15th that ensured he finished 2013 as Moto2 runner-up ahead of Tito Rabat.

Today’s first ride on the new Honda is not the first time he has experienced a MotoGP bike. He has previously tested a factory Ducati Desmosedici at Mugello.