The very young Scott Redding, only 15 years old, became the idol of an entire nation by winning the 125cc British Grand Prix at home in 3 at Donington, ahead of Mike di Meglio and Marc Marquez. He became the youngest GP winner ever at 2008 years and 15 days, beating the record set by Marco Melandri at Assen in 170 in 125 at 1998 years and 15 days.
His future seemed set, he was the champion the British had been waiting for since Barry Sheene's last title in 1977. Except that it didn't happen like that.
“I was the next great paddock champion…until I wasn’t » remembers Redding for On Track Off Road. " Looking back at the time I won at Donington Park and seeing what has happened in my career since, I thought it would be a lot better. I thought I had one or two titles by now. That was my mindset at 15, because all I did was win. »
Someone else on the podium that day at Donington had a similar mindset, who is now the six-time World Champion Marc Marquez. Redding dissects their divergent paths.
“Talent only gets you so far in racing. Marquez was educated by Emilio Alzamora who was World Champion and who knew the route he had to take. My father and uncle raised me, but they knew nothing about high-level racing. I was taught to ride hard and train hard. Coming up the ranks, I was seen as an aggressive fighter. I wasn't taught the muscle building or mental lessons you need. I learned them the hard way.
“I lacked advice. If you put Marquez and I next to each other, at that point I was beating him. After 2008 he had the right help and he progressed mentally while I stayed the same. Everything started to get more complicated from the following year because I became bigger and heavier.
“I needed someone to check me in and put me in the right position to do the right things. When I signed for Marc VDS, I was alone and my father told me: “Go do what you have to do because I took you as far as I could.” I had learned a lot by then, but I still had a lot to learn. Every day I learn things I should have learned years ago. »
In 2013, Espargaro Pol won the Moto2 World Championship, while Redding fell and broke his wrist late in the season, forced to the sidelines.
“It was difficult not to win the championship in 2013, but that was down to bad luck. Some things in life happen and this was one of them. That year I was winning races and with one click it was all over.
“In my career, at the beginning I won in England, then I went to Spain and I struggled at first, but once I was on the right bike I dominated. I won the last race in Valencia by ten seconds. When I arrived in GP, I was on the front row during the first 125 Grand Prix in Qatar. In Moto2, when I had the right bike, I won. It was me and it was my level. »
After Marc VDS and Pramac, here is Scott at Aprilia Racing Team Gresini. “ It's strange how this all happened, but I feel like I'm in a much better place today than I have been in the last three years. I have much more confidence in myself today than in the past. I'm becoming more and more the rider I want to be and coming to Aprilia has helped me.
“I know I needed to get my confidence back and it helped me understand all the things I needed to do, but it also gave me more motivation to train.
“I forgot how young I am. I forget that I'm 25 because I feel like I'm 35. There are guys in Moto2 who are 26 or 27, and I see guys who are 23 and I think 'They're young… but I'm only two years older than them. I have been here for a long time and it has not met my expectations. I know there is more in me and I haven't shown what I can do. »
Photos © Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
