Scott Redding takes charge in BSB title fight with Assen ‘full house'

Scott Redding took one big step towards the 2019 British Superbike Championship title as he underlined his strength on the Ducati Panigale V4R with a perfect weekend in Assen.

The ex-MotoGP rider topped three practice sessions, qualified on pole position, led the way in warm-up and romped to two clear race wins, a ‘full house’ that moves him past Be Wiser PBM team-mate Josh Brookes in the overall standings.

A telling performance at a crucial moment in the Title Showdown, though Redding admits his prior knowledge of the Netherlands venue – where he started five Dutch MotoGP races – was a factor in his exemplary performance, he admits it was pressure he therefore felt he had to live up to.

“It’s been a great weekend and with not having to learn the circuit I was able to get off to a good start and maintain that all the way through. Knowing the track really helped but I still had to show my strength especially as people expected me to win after having a good gap over the other riders during practice. I

“It also meant I could concentrate on bike set-up and although I was still having a few problems with the front in the first race, I got a good start and just did my own thing. I kept a good rhythm lap after lap and got the job done. 

“The second race was a bit tricky in the early laps and I made the break earlier than I would have liked but I was more than happy to take the win again.”

Scott Redding underlines his BSB title credentials with a big fat marker

From starting the weekend with a three-point deficit to leaving it with a 14-point advantage over Josh Brookes – who at least limited the damage with a solid second and fourth – Redding may have come into the weekend with high expectations, but he still managed to exceed them. 

Track knowledge looked like being a big disadvantage to Redding in 2019, but it's proven no hurdle for the fan favourite. Indeed, even on two of the three circuits he has previously raced - Silverstone and Donington Park - he was competing on different configurations to what he has previousl raced.

However, the third at a very familiar Assen demonstrated exactly what Redding can achieve when he’s able to just focus on riding.

He – and his growing fanbase – need to make the most of it while it lasts though, with only two rounds remaining before Redding gets back on the international road in WorldSBK. Fortunately for him, of those two events, he now has track knowledge of Donington Park and Brands Hatch… and he was a triple winner at the former in May.