Redding: Upset with myself, pushed too hard, tyre needed to settle

Scott Redding laments ‘going too early’ in his attempt to regain the race lead from Jonathan Rea during WorldSBK race two in Estoril. Ducati rider loses second place in the championship after crashing out.
Scott Redding and Jonathan Rea, Estoril WorldSBK Race2, 2021
Scott Redding and Jonathan Rea, Estoril WorldSBK Race2, 2021
© Gold and Goose

Scott Redding’ hopes of a WorldSBK Estoril double were cut short with five laps left of Sunday’s final race after a crash whilst following Jonathan Rea. 

Redding had been overtaken by the six-time world champion in turn four and tried to react immediately at turn five. 

But Redding, who had been encountering front tyre issues as Rea closed in, alluded to needing patience and letting the tyre ‘settle a little bit’ before responding. 

Speaking about his race, Redding added: "I felt pretty good. Got a good start - almost jumped the start. I think the light dipped a little bit before we started and I saw Toprak [Razgatlioglu] - (Yamaha rider jumped the start), so I squeezed the front brakes because I didn’t want the jump start. 


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"Then I was thinking ‘was I going to get a ride through or a penalty’. So, for two or three laps in my mind I was not focused but I was up-front doing my own thing, feeling quite good, feeling comfortable. 

"I was kind of managing the gap, was happy with the pace I was doing, was trying to conserve the tyre and I felt like I was riding really well. 

"But then, when Jonathan [Rea] was closing the gap to me I was having a few issues with the front tyre and I shouldn't have tried to attack so soon. I needed the tyre to settle a little bit and then go again at the end. 

"But we’re here racing and here trying to win, and I just pushed a bit too hard when the tyre wasn’t in a good condition. It cost me a lot of points today. I'm very upset with myself because it was my own fault for going too early."

Next up for Redding and Ducati is Misano, which is the team’s lone home round of 2021 with Imola not on the calendar. Redding has already tested at Misano earlier this year unlike some of his competitors.

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