Scott Redding has announced his return to compete in the UK Superbike Championship (BSB). He will be racing for PBM Ducati, stepping in for their regular rider Glenn Irwin, who is sidelined due to injury for the remainder of the season.
Redding is set to race at Brands Hatch this weekend, which means he will miss the World Superbike Championship round in Hungary, where he was supposed to represent Bonovo MGM Ducati.
However, there remain some important questions. Redding’s future with his WorldSBK team has not been clarified, and it’s unclear how Bonovo MGM Ducati plans to move forward in the WorldSBK series. There are rumors that Tarran Mackenzie might replace Redding in WorldSBK.
Additionally, the lineup for PBM Ducati in BSB once Irwin recovers is still unknown. The team runs two bikes and it looks like Reading and Irwin will be teammates. Irwin had surgery for hip and pelvis injuries sustained in a crash at Snetterton but expects to return before the season ends.
For now, Redding is taking Irwin’s place at PBM Ducati. He also substituted for Irwin during the final BSB round at Knockhill and hasn’t raced at Brands Hatch since his winning 2019 BSB season.
Redding expressed excitement about his comeback: "I’m thrilled to be back for the rest of the BSB season. The welcome at Knockhill was amazing, and at Donington Park many asked about my performance there. It felt like a baptism of fire, but the PBM Ducati bike and team are excellent."
He added, "Knockhill felt great and I’m looking forward to Brands Hatch. It’s always challenging without electronics, but that’s what I signed up for. It’s a big event with lots of fans, and I can’t wait to give my best and aim for the podium."
Jordan Bird, co-team owner, said, “Scott’s return is fantastic and despite Knockhill throwing lots at him, he showed his talent. Glenn’s recovery is progressing well, demonstrating the strength we expected. We thank our sponsors and fans and look forward to an exciting event at Brands Hatch.”
As for Glenn Irwin, he hopes to return to racing by August. "Initially, I feared my season was over, but now I’m aiming to come back competitive and targeting podiums and wins," he told BBC NI. He aims to return for one of the last four or five meetings of the season, possibly starting from Cadwell Park or Thruxton, whichever is medically appropriate.
Thruxton’s round is scheduled for August 8-10, and Cadwell Park’s for August 23-25.
Fan Take: Scott Redding’s return to BSB is a thrilling boost for fans eager to see top-tier competition, especially at iconic tracks like Brands Hatch. His presence not only uplifts PBM Ducati’s prospects but also adds intrigue around rider swaps and team strategies in both BSB and WorldSBK this season.
