On the Motorsport Republica podcast, Scott Redding strikes again with his legendary outspokenness. This time, he delves into his experience at the 2013 Superprestigio Dirt Track, the Barcelona event that brought together the stars of motorcycling in an explosive atmosphere. But behind the spectacle, Redding reveals a far less romantic reality, pointing the finger at Marc Marquez and technical preparation that, according to him, skewed the game.
Scott Redding recounted a memorable experience from his participation in the Superprestigio Dirt Track in 2013, where he was shocked by the equipment of some riders, including Marc Marquez. In an interview on the podcast Motorsport Republica, Redding explained his surprise upon arriving at the event.
« A few years ago, I participated in the Superprestigio in Spain. At the time, I was living in Spain, so I thought, "Come on, I'll do it!" A bit of dirt track and I'm enjoying it. I arrived at the first practice session, I looked around and everyone was cheering. ", said Redding, referring to the initial atmosphere of the event.
The idea behind the Superprestigio was to keep the bikes simple and close to the spirit of the dirt track. Redding added : " I looked at the rules, which basically said you could lower the fork, remove the front fender, use 16 or 17 inch wheels, drill a hole in the rear shock to lower it… very basic things. Remove the front brake, basic things »
But what he discovered there disturbed him: " I arrive and find Öhlins suspensions at the front and rear, traction controls… and I'm like, what the hell is this? "He was particularly surprised to see Marquez with equipment much more advanced than expected: " Marc Marquez had an official HRC Supercross engine, we're talking about a 20 or 30 euro engine, with traction control. »
Scott Redding: “ I looked at Marc and said, "He's got traction control on this bike, he's playing with the others." »
Redding continued by highlighting the obvious difference in level between the drivers: “ I watched the main race from the side of the track, I looked at Marc and I said: "He has traction control on this bike, he's playing with the others." In two laps, he had already taken the lead »
The contrast was striking with the other competitors, such as the Americans specializing in dirt track: " very strong drivers in this sport, who came with modified suspensions and exhausts, riding original motorcycles. " According to Redding, the performance of Marquez ruined the spirit of the event: " I thought he was spoiling all the fun. That's why more and more people decided not to come, because it was unfair.I'm not going to spend 50 euros to go around in circles for eight seconds. »
Redding also paid the price for his participation by seriously injuring himself: " I fell during a training session and I broke my sternum. Then I went for a few runs while taking painkillers, I thought I was going to be okay, but then someone hit me and I felt like I was splitting open inside, and I thought 'wow, this doesn't look good'. »
With this story, Redding does not just throw out a juicy anecdote: he denounces a technological drift which has tarnished the magic of the Superprestigio, with Marquez as a symbol of overwhelming domination. A rant that still resonates.
