Redding options narrow after Smith-Aprilia deal

Scott Redding hopes to have a decision on his future within the next week while his options narrow following Aprilia’s appointment of Bradley Smith as its test rider for next season.

Redding future has been unknown since losing his Aprilia ride with the Italian squad after it hired Andrea Iannone alongside Aleix Espargaro for next season, while he has been weighing up options in Moto2, World Superbikes and British Superbikes.

While the 25-year-old didn’t appear enticed by the prospect of staying at Aprilia as a test rider, with his highly-critical comments following the Austria race also hurting his chances, that role has been filled by Smith following his exit from KTM which has put Redding’s future back in the spotlight.

Speaking after Friday practice at Misano where he impressed as top Aprilia rider, albeit in 17^th place after FP2, Redding says his main focus is ‘a package that can win’ regardless of what series he switches to.

His best options are now rumoured to be either BSB or Moto2.

Assessing the possible Moto2 option, with the grid switching to Triumph engines and Magneti-Marelli electronics for 2019, Redding feels he has attractive offers but accepts his larger build will be a disadvantage if he returns to the middleweight class.

Redding spent four years in Moto2 culminating in a runner-up spot in the 2013 riders’ championship before his move up to the premier class a year later.

“My priority is I want a package that can win and obviously in Moto2 it opens the range but on the other hand it closes the range,” Redding said. “We can be very competitive but to win, you see there a couple of teams who can win, so unless I can be in a team that can seriously fight for the title I am not interested.

“I have a disadvantage in Moto2 anyway as I am bigger and heavier so I need to try to fight for a title with a disadvantage it is not easy.”

“Being a Kalex rider in the past I felt so good with them and the way they worked and the way they developed. We had a really good relationship and they were strong. If it was [Moto2], it would be to go with Kalex because I feel good with them. Obviously KTM are now coming up strong as well, beggars can’t be choosers.”

Redding’s other strong option is understood to be a move to British Superbikes with the Paul Bird-run Be Wiser Ducati squad, which is expected to compete with the new Ducati V4 Superbike from next year, but the British rider feels it is a key moment in his career and isn’t looking to rush a decision. Redding has also been linked to a switch to the World Superbike paddock.

“I’ve got some options and I need to understand what might happen and what might be my future,” he said. “I need to understand it because for the next five or six years I still want to get a world title under my belt.

“I was hoping this weekend I could have announced something but it took a bit longer than expected so maybe next week, during the week or at the end of this weekend.”