Starting fifth on the BSB grid for the final race at a briefly dry and sunny Assen, Scott Redding faced a tough challenge with championship leader Kyle Ryde and rival Bradley Ray both starting on the front row. The former champion battled his way to the front and made a daring last-ditch move in the final chicane, ultimately securing third place for the Ducati rider.
Having already won the first two races, including the earlier sprint, Redding was in position to achieve a rare triple victory—a feat he had never accomplished in the British Superbike Championship despite his overall title win.
His initial challenge on track was Ryan Vickers, who was pushing lap records to keep pace with Ryde and Ray. In a post-race Podium Reactions interview, Redding shared, “Physically, this race was the easiest for me, but mentally it was one of the hardest because overtaking was challenging. I struggled with getting enough exit grip out of corners on this bike, making it tough to set up passes.”
He added that patience was key: “I kept telling myself to stay patient, though it was difficult as I grew a bit impatient. I had to remind myself it’s a long race.”
Redding, who had led much of the previous two races, found it more comfortable to follow in this one, waiting for the right moment. After catching the riders ahead, he explained, “It was easier being behind through the fast sections. When I was leading before, it was tough to break away on those fast bits. I had to try unconventional moves because everyone was riding so well. When Brad and Kyle began battling, I realized it had become a three-way fight.”
Reflecting on the final moments, he said, “I’m not sure what exactly happened at the last chicane on the final lap, but I ended up second. Something just clicked, and I knew I had to go for it.”
Drawing on his vast experience at Assen—which spans MotoGP, BSB, and WSBK—Redding acknowledged the risk but decided to go for the win while still in contention for the championship. “Kyle’s bike has an advantage off the corners, making overtakes tricky without risking danger,” he said. “That’s been an ongoing issue this season; I have the pace but find passing difficult.”
Describing the decisive move, he recounted, “On the last lap, with the championship on the line, I figured the only place to pass was the last chicane. I had a big slide coming into the stadium section and saw a gap. I’ve always been strong into that last left corner, so I braked late and committed fully. Kyle was defending hard and going wider, but I had no choice but to brake after him and take the kerb at full lean angle. It was all or nothing.”
Fan Take:
This thrilling showdown highlights the intense competition and strategic depth in BSB racing, where experience and bold moves make all the difference. Redding’s fight to the finish keeps the title race alive and demonstrates why fans should stay glued to the season — the battle for supremacy has never been more exciting.
Source: www.crash.net
