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Jerez WorldSBK test: Redding 'has a few small areas to improve'

Scott Redding had another strong showing in his new class of racing, having a particular mission on the wet opening day of WorldSBK testing at Jerez.

Redding was keen toget his confidence on Pirellis in the rain up to a high level for the first time as a Ducati rider.

“On day one it was quite important for us to get some laps in the rain,” Redding told bikesportnews.com. “Just for me understanding the tyres and the team understanding a little bit the set-up - and it worked out quite well because I did not have confidence in Aragon before, when we were riding.

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“I did have confidence on day one here. It is one of those things on my list to fix and I can cross it off now because I know I am normally pretty good in the rain. It is a little bit a feeling thing and maybe a little bit of set-up to understand.

“I used that to the full potential I could to get feeling. Yesterday felt good, prior to that, even in BSB, I struggled a lot. I think it was maybe a little bit the tyres, coming from Michelins to Pirellis; there is quite a grip difference.

It has just taken time to adapt, which is the main thing. Now the bike starts to work; I have feeling and can relax and feel comfortable. That is probably the most important thing you need for riding in the rain.”

Fast wet and dry, Redding was asked if he had made some positive steps forward from his previous test experiences. “Not loads because it is the first test of the season for us. With the dry weather the track was a bit patchy so you couldn’t take full potential. But we could understand some things.

“We had a new swingarm to test, testing that back-to-back. We did not get to finish the full test, unfortunately, but there are still some areas we need to work on and some areas we improved. That is an important thing for me just to focus on what we are doing and improving step-by-step.”

The most important question for Redding even if he has two days of Portuguese and two days of Aussie testing left is, will be ready for the season kick-off? Is he ready right now?

“I am always ready, I would never not be ready,” he said. “Can you bet some money on me? You can bet money if you want. We just have a few small points we do need to improve, I think.

We are not far away. I know I have the potential. Like for example today, to do the same time as Jonathan I have got potential. With the bike there are just a couple of small details and if we can just get them in line, we will be able to make steps forward as to what we need.”

The Portimao test will be an important one for Redding but he has already ridden there on a Ducati, just not this Ducati.

“Yes, the good thing is I did a test last year there with BSB, so I kinda know a bit the track layout which is kind of useful for me this year,” he confirmed. “Sure, to go there in WorldSBK you do need to understand the bike with electronics on that type of circuit.

“There is a lot of elevation, camber, off camber. It is a track that I like and I felt quite good there. To have two dry days there to work on those areas with the bike, rear grip, it is one of those circuits maybe we can understand and find something to put in the pocket for the rest of the circuits.”

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