Long corners ‘could be a struggle’, but ‘podium the goal’ in Catalunya - Redding

After losing ground in the championship last time out in France, Scott Redding is hoping to bounce back at Catalunya - a circuit familiar to the Brit from his time in MotoGP. 

Redding, who had been the highest combined points scorer from Most and Navarra, struggled at Magny-Cours despite a race two podium. 

The Ducati rider was 12th in race one after crashing late on, before finishing fifth in the Superpole race. 

So while it was a good recovery during Sunday’s double-header, the hard work of closing a 80+ points deficit to under 40 was undone as Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea were 1-2 in all three races.

"If I have to be honest, Barcelona is not at the top of the list of my favourite circuits," said Redding heading into this weekend  

"I think the weather conditions could be a factor, especially if the temperature is extremely high, as we will have to deal with some long corners where we could struggle a bit. 

"The goal, however, is to finish on the podium in any race. It won't be easy but I'll give my best."

For Redding’ team-mate Michael Rinaldi, Magny-Cours was a slight improvement on previous rounds as he claimed fourth, tenth and seventh in the three races. 

However, the Italian is still someway of the competitive form that saw him claim victories at Misano. 

A very ‘determined’ Rinaldi added: "I can't wait to get on the bike on Friday morning on a track where I have been at ease in the past. 

"I'm very determined: there's a strong will to be competitive again and to find the best feeling. 

"I will do my best to fight for the podium in every race and to give satisfaction to the team."