Redding shows battling spirit with hard-fought Oulton win

Scott Redding returned to the top of the British Superbike Championship podium with a spirited victory in the second race at Oulton Park ahead of fellow Ducati duo Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell.

The ex-MotoGP rider worked his way to the front of the pack from fourth on the grid before resisting the attentions of Brookes and Bridewell in a thrilling dash to the finish line.

Indeed, with the top three already through to the Title Showdown, which gets underway from the next round, it was only podium credits and honour ultimately at stake as the trio lined up in the closing stages with Redding holding off a determined Bridewell, the Oxford Racing rider searching for his first win since 2015.

However, Bridewell’s bold outside efforts to get the better of Redding into the final corner instead allowed Brookes to get a better drive up the hill and across into second place instead.

Following his long-awaited return to the podium in race one, Bradley Ray held his own with the dominant trio in fourth place. The Buildbase Suzuki rider led initially and stayed with the lead pack, crossing the line eight seconds clear of Danny Buchan and Jason O’Halloran.

With only one race remaining to decide the six riders through to the Title Showdown, Tarran Mackenzie is now all but through after pulling 20 points clear of seventh position, while Peter Hickman’s run from 21st to eighth – behind Christian Iddon – means he comes into the final race in sixth.

Even so, Hickman, Andrew Irwin – who didn’t start race two – Xavi Fores and Christian Iddon are still well in the fight, just eight points separating them.