Redding confirms BSB move with PBM Be Wiser Ducati

Scott Redding will switch to the Bennetts British Superbike championship in 2019 with the Paul Bird Motorsport-run Be Wiser Ducati squad.

Having been axed from the Aprilia MotoGP team after just one season, Redding will leave the Grand Prix paddock for BSB next year aiming for a fresh start after a difficult 2018 campaign with the Italian manufacturer.

The deal marks the 25-year-old’s return to racing in a British series for the first time since 2004, during his British MiniGP days, having spent the majority of his junior career in the Spanish CEV series before joining the world championship paddock in the 125cc class in 2008.

Redding will make his BSB debut with the new Ducati Panigale V4 with Be Wiser Ducati on a one-year deal as he looks to become one of the big-name draws in the series following the departures of Leon Haslam (World Superbike) and Jake Dixon (Moto2) at the end of this season.

“It’s fantastic to be coming to BSB, it’s a championship I’ve never raced in and learning the circuits is very much part of the challenge which I’m looking forward to,” Redding said.

“This is very exciting for me with a very competitive bike and the most successful team and I’m here to show what I can do.”

Redding, the youngest winner of a Grand Prix race when he claimed victory at Donington Park in the 125cc class in 2008 aged 15 years and 170 days, climbed the ranks alongside the likes of Marc Marquez and in 2013 narrowly lost out on the Moto2 world title to the Spanish rider.

The British rider made his MotoGP debut a year later with Gresini Honda before moving to Marc VDS Honda in 2015 and claiming his maiden premier class podium with third place at the San Marino round.

Two years at Pramac Ducati saw him match that result with a third-place rostrum at the 2016 Assen round before being dropped by the Italian team and switching to Aprilia. But after a difficult 2018 with the Noale-based factory team, resulting in being replaced by Andrea Iannone for next season, Redding makes the bold move to BSB for 2019 to join up with PBM who backed his early career.

“Scott and I go back a long way and I’m delighted to continue our relationship in this latest chapter of his career,” Bird said. “He’s a quality rider, as is anyone who can win at Grand Prix and we are confident he will be a title fighter in BSB aboard the Be Wiser Ducati next season.

“A lot of people have worked hard to put this deal together so thanks to them and thanks also to our outgoing riders Shakey and Glenn. They have done a great job for us over the years, but it was time to call it a day with them and I wish them well in future.”

Redding becomes the second rider confirmed on the 2019 BSB grid following Glenn Irwin’s switch from Be Wiser Ducati to JG Speedfit Kawasaki to replace the World Superbike-bound Haslam.

Be Wiser Ducati also confirmed it will announce its second rider alongside Redding in the coming weeks, with six-time BSB champion Shane Byrne leaving the team.

Redding and Be Wiser Ducati will also aim for at least one wildcard outing in the World Superbike championship next year, focusing on the UK round, once the 2019 calendar is finalised.