Gigi: Great job by Redding, now we need WorldSBK title

Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna has praised Scott Redding's rookie title victory in the British Superbike championship and welcomed his move into the factory's official WorldSBK team.

Redding spent two years on a Pramac Ducati in MotoGP before a nightmare season at Aprilia left him without a premier-class seat for 2019.

The Englishman then elected for a sink-or-swim move to BSB with PBM Ducati where - despite little knowledge of the British circuits, new Panigale V4 or Pirelli tyres - he stormed to eleven victories.

But even before Redding had clinched the BSB crown, by five-points over team-mate Josh Brookes, Ducati had seen enough to hand the double MotoGP podium finisher a return to world championship action as Alvaro Bautista's replacement.

"I think that Scott and the team did a great job in BSB this year. I was not surprised because I know Scott's capabilities, but still it's not easy and he did a fantastic job," Dall’Igna told Crash.net.

"So I'm really happy about that championship and also that he has joined our factory team in World Superbike for next season.

"In the end, Scott has come home I think. Because we worked together in MotoGP a few years ago and maintained a good relationship."

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Despite Bautista's stunning start to this season, Ducati again lost out to Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki in this year's World Superbike standings.

The Italian factory hasn't won the WorldSBK crown since Carlos Checa in 2011, something Dall’Igna is eager for Redding and Chaz Davies to correct.

"We've missed this championship for a long time now. Scott and Chaz have to fight to try to catch this title, because we need it," Dall’Igna said.

Redding was second fastest during yesterday's opening day of action at the Aragon WorldSBK test.