The English driver delivered a first-rate performance in Spain, dominating Jonathan Rea head and shoulders to sign a second success in a row. Waiting for new victories on Sunday?
Everyone was waiting for the resumption of hostilities between Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu, but Scott Redding finally stole the show during the first race held in Navarre. The Ducati rider, in the game since the start of the weekend and who had only missed the Superpole in the morning by an unfortunate 93 thousandths against Rea, led a test full of determination to finally win his second consecutive success, his fourth of the year after his triumphs in Aragon then in Estoril.
We know the exuberant side of the former MotoGP rider, but it seems not to have been disturbed in the least. by the announcement Thursday of his departure from BMW next year. On the contrary, it was with pugnacity that number 45 went for victory, achieving the holeshot at the start before being caught by Rea in the first lap.
Not enough to demoralize Redding, who then knew how to take advantage of the qualities of his machine, particularly in the last sector, to this time definitely overtake his Kawasaki counterpart at the start of the sixth lap. “ I am very happy with this victory,” he rejoiced at the microphone of Superbike official website. « The conditions were very hot I must say [31°C in the air, 45°C on the track, Editor's note]. I was confident but not completely sure either, so I'm happy to get the win. I had good feelings, I was comfortable, but it must be said that it was quite a long race with 23 laps to cover… But it is still something good to have gone for this first race in Navarre. I can't wait to be at tomorrow. »
Still 45 points behind Rea
Redding would indeed be well advised to fight for victory again on Sunday, while Rea seemed to have difficulty keeping up with his pace during Race 1, causing himself various scares, mainly in turn 8.
YESSSSSSS, what a win @Reddingpower! @ArubaRacing #NavarraWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/Pd05HqZiIp
- WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) August 21
Asked about his expectations for the next two races, the Ducati rider did not want to look too good, preferring to advance masked. “ We must already see what the Superpole Race will give, which in fact always constitutes a race trying,” he warns. « It is never easy for us, and we will therefore have to do the best we can. As for Race 2, we will have to do the same thing as today, that is to say adopt a good pace and try to go for victory if the opportunity arises. present. »
As for whether this new victory gives him ideas of a title again this season, Redding assures that nothing has been done for the moment in the championship, even though his gap vis-à-vis Rea still peaks at 45 points. . “ This is always a realistic goal… Nothing is done until the last race has been run. In 2019 everyone said it was in favor of Álvaro [Bautista] against Jonathan Rea, but in the end it wasn't. You don't know what could happen: We are now three drivers at the front, and to be honest I am absolutely not stressed about the championship. I'm not going to lie, I would love to win it, but I'm not really thinking about it. I take the races one after the other, I try to be regular, and for the rest we will see. »
