Former MotoGP star Scott Redding stuck two fingers up to the naysayers and doom-mongers who said he would never cope with 'proper' tracks by taking a brace of top-five places on his first-ever race weekend at Oulton Park.
The Be Wiser Ducati man, who admitted on Sunday after qualifying that the Cheshire track scared him, bagged fifth and fourth in yesterday's outings and he is now in a Showdown position just behind team-mate and double race-winner Josh Brookes.
“It wasn’t the perfect weekend as I felt a podium was within reach, but I came into the weekend wanting two top six finishes, so I have to be pleased with fourth and fifth," said Redding.
“I learned a lot and I felt good particularly in the second race where I lapped as quick as I did in qualifying so that’s why I’m perhaps a bit frustrated as I had one hand on a podium position.
“At the same time, I understand the bike more, I understand the circuit more and both of those things can only benefit me as the season progresses and today has been good for my confidence. I’m taking it round by round but we’re building all the time.”
Team co-ordinatoe Johnny Mowatt was impressed with Redding's performance, saying: "He’s been phenomenal and has shown what a class rider he is. To come here for the first time and get fourth and fifth is simply superb with his lap times being extremely strong."
