Between Redding and Ducati, it was no longer mad love. And now the divorce is finalized. The WSBK weekend in Navarra is off to a strong start with this new addition to the transfer market. The British rider will move from Ducati to BMW next season alongside Dutch rider Michael Van der Mark. Negotiations between BMW and Tom Sykes are nevertheless still ongoing.
Scott Redding will join the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2022 season after two seasons of competition with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, where he finished in second place in the championship in his first full season with the Bologna manufacturer.
Redding went to World SBK in 2020 after a successful 2019 in the BSB Championship in the United Kingdom. He took six consecutive podiums to launch his WorldSBK career in style. He was able to challenge Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) for the title during his rookie season, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. 2021 has proven to be a difficult year for Redding and Ducati, with plenty of ups and downs, and the news of Redding's move to BMW came after an excellent weekend at Most where Redding took a victory and three podiums.
In total, Redding won eight victories and 22 podiums during its 42 WorldSBK races to date. Prior to his move to WorldSBK, Redding won the British Superbike title in 2019, while he also has plenty of experience in MotoGP with his 90 Grands Prix.
Redding arrives but BMW still negotiates with Tom Sykes
For 2022, Redding will partner Dutch rider Michael van der Mark at the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team, with Van der Mark entering his second season with the German manufacturer. Talks between BMW and van der Mark's current teammate, 2013 world champion Tom Sykes, are ongoing regarding a contract extension for 2022.
Marc Bongers, Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, said: “ we are very happy to welcome Scott to our WorldSBK family. Over the last few years he has proven to make an excellent transition between GP, BSB and WorldSBK, becoming one of the strongest riders in the field. We are therefore convinced that Scott, with his fighting spirit and absolute will to win, is the perfect newcomer for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and another reinforcement for our entire WorldSBK project. We warmly welcome Scott and look forward to a strong collaboration"
Shaun Muir, Team Principal of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team added: “ We have been following Scott's career for several years and are delighted that he is now part of our team. His successes speak for themselves and it is great that he will bring his skills and experience to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the future. By recruiting him, BMW Motorrad Motorsport once again underlines the importance of the WorldSBK project and its objective to establish itself at the highest level« .
We are now waiting for the reaction of Ducati who is rumored to be rehiring Baptist.
