Scott Redding, Superbike's enfant terrible, delves into his memories and shares a juicy anecdote: back in the 125cc era, he used to slap a certain Marc Marquez! Now, as Marquez leads the 2025 MotoGP with Ducati, WSBK rider Redding tells the Motorsport Republica podcast how their paths diverged, and why support makes all the difference.
Scott Redding was one of the first to beat Marc Marquez in the smaller categories. But more than fifteen years later, with one an eight-time world champion and the other continuing his journey in WorldSBK, the British rider looks back on this pivotal moment in their youth and what changed the course of their respective careers.
« We grew up racing each other. I spent a lot of time beating him on 125ccs "Says Redding on the podcast microphone Motorsport Republica. But very quickly, a gap opens up. Support. Funding. Opportunities… " He had a lot of money and the support of Red Bull and Repsol, and I had practically nothing.. He joined a KTM factory team created especially for him. This lasted his entire career. »
Conversely, the young Englishman evolves in a much less structured environment: " I had management that didn't know the sport - what I should say, do, what I should wear »
Scott Redding: “ I was a wild child, I didn't obey the rules »
The rest of his career, Redding approaches it without filter. True to himself, he refuses to conform to the overly strict standards of the paddock: I was a wild child, I didn't obey the rules. For me, rules are made to be broken! »
« That's how I saw things, that's why i have this personality. » And while he is aware that choices and opportunities have shaped radically opposing trajectories, he has no regrets: " You see how it changed our careers. If I had had a different experience, my career would have taken a different turn.. But I wouldn't change it, because it's what made me who I am today. »
Scott Redding is still today the youngest Grand Prix winner in history: he was only 15 years when he won the race 125cc from Donington Park in 2008. That day, Marc Marquez was still one of his pursuers. Two years later, the Spaniard won the 125cc title, while Redding moved up to Moto2.
What happens next? We know it: Marquez collects world titles and dominates the MotoGP scene, where Redding alternated between good seasons in Moto2, a stint in MotoGP (Honda, Ducati, Aprilia) and a rebirth in Superbike: British champion in 2019, third in WorldSBK in 2021 with Ducati, then difficulties at BMW…before a promising return to a satellite Ducati in 2025. He is one of the few who can say: "I beat Marc Marquez." But above all, he can do it without bitterness—with clarity, character, and pride.
