Scott Redding
So, I’ve literally just come back from a solo 105km cycle ride. I do a lot of cycling to try and keep my weight down and obviously keep fit. After I broke my leg, I struggle with running so I’ve had to concentrate on cycling and it’s one of the biggest parts of my training. I still want to be in good, lightweight racing shape, but the weight is a little less important in superbikes than it was in MotoGP. I’ve weighed in heavier this year, but I feel a lot stronger for it and seem to be faster! I think you need a little more power and strength in BSB. More riders struggle with arm-pump and the physical side of things, which I feel a little bit as well.
Anyways, on to Knockhill then. Some people have been saying I couldn’t wish for more, but I could have done the double! I had a shit qualifying, but that wet session was very good for me. I worked out how the bike behaves, how the tyres work and I needed that session to bring more confidence. Despite the poor qualifying, I started next to my teammate and a few other guys who are battling for the championship, and just bit down on the gum shield and let her have it. I picked them off one by one and was thinking a top five would be lovely, but I had quite a fast pace and wanted to take advantage of this for my podium credits. I knew I had the pace to beat Danny (Buchan) in the second race, especially after I followed him and learnt a few tricks of the track. I also knew I was stronger than him in half of the track, and he was pushing quite hard when he crashed.
I honestly think Knockhill is a wicked little track. It’s a bit small, don’t get me wrong, but if it had another 30 seconds on the lap time, it’d be one of the best tracks on the calendar in my opinion. I raced minimotos in Scotland years ago, so this wasn’t my first time in the country, but the fans were amazing – even when we had shit weather, they were still lining the track and they cheered hard for me throughout the weekend.
I left Knockhill thinking I’d be racing at Donington Park WorldSBK as a wild card. Everything was ready to go on a full-factory Panigale V4R in WorldSBK trim, but it all fell through at the last minute for one reason or another. I wanted to go there and fight for a podium and battle for a win. That’s my intention to go there as a wild card – I didn’t want to just be there. In the end, I did just go there, but as a spectator! I wasn’t going to go at all, but my manager was up there anyway helping a lad in World Supersport, so I rocked up there on Friday and had a little nosey around, spoke to a few people and watched on the grass bank at Craner. I couldn’t really watch too much because I was gutted not to be out there, which is why I didn’t go back up Sunday.
Talking of rides, I hear all sorts of rumours about next year and what I’m riding! Ultimately, I have a two-year deal with Birdy, but it does depend on a number of things. My target, first off, is to try and win the British Superbike Championship this year, but I do want to go to WorldSBK eventually. I think I’ve showed everyone that I can be competitive and fast, and I've proven a lot of people wrong, so a shot on a competitive bike in WorldSBK is deserved. I want to win a world championship – that's what I’ve wanted to do all my life, so I need to be in the right time at the right place. I wouldn’t say it’s as action-packed as BSB, but that’s down to the circuits and rules and regs. I would also like another chance in MotoGP, but only on a fucking good bike. Never say never, and I’m sure Bautista is thinking the same, but he’s the same as me – why would we go back to GPs on a shit bike when we could be winning somewhere else on a competitive bike?
Anyway, Snetterton is next and another new circuit for me! I’ve heard lots of good things about Snet and as you know by now, I enjoy the challenge of learning new places. A lot of people thought I was talking shit at the beginning of the season when I said I liked learning new tracks, but again I think I’ve proven those people wrong. Now I’ve got my head around the bike and tyres, I feel like I could challenge anywhere we go. Until next month...