Scott Redding is crowned 2019 British Superbike Champion

Scott Redding claimed the 2019 British Superbike title today but was made to fight for it all the way as team-mate and closest rival, Josh Brookes claimed all three wins during the final round at Brands Hatch. 

Redding did what he needed to do, securing a 2nd and two 3rd ‘s to win the championship by 5 points, despite Brookes’s hat-trick of wins. It was a stunning season for the former MotoGP rider, winning with a new team, in a new championship and with a bike, the new Panigale V4 R that was also in its first season of BSB. Indeed it was an incredible debut for the Ducati Panigale V4 R, winning 22 of the 27 races.

The season started solidly for the Gloucestershire rider, with a podium in the opening round at Silverstone followed by 5th and 4th at the challenging Oulton Park, a circuit he had not raced at before and he admitted he was wary of. “A track I don't know, that still scares me a lot riding, I enjoyed it though, it was phenomenal. It's something I've been missing in racing for a couple of years now." 

By Donington Park, Redding had fully settled into his team and surroundings, showing his class and the strength of the Ducati Panigale V4 R by taking all 3 wins in the first triple header of the season. Redding was however wary of the challenges he faced in the upcoming rounds at unfamiliar circuits. “No doubt it's going to be difficult coming to tracks I don't know but we just need to damage limitation and excel when we can."

The doubts seemed to be banished as a podium at Brands Hatch and a 2nd and a race win at Knockhill, followed by a double win at Snetterton and a 38-point lead at the halfway point.  

Redding’s concerns over unfamiliar circuits were to be proven as his lead was cut back to 3 points after Be Wiser Ducati team-mate, Brookes took three wins and two 2nd places at Thruxton, Cadwell Park and Oulton Park. At Cadwell Park he secured his showdown place despite a DNF and at Oulton Park there was a confidence inspiring win ahead of the showdown rounds. “To be fair, when I came, I thought if I can get podiums it’ll be mega, if I can win, I’ll be over the moon. We came away from here safe and now we come back to some good tracks that I feel good with.”

The showdown to the season was nicely set up for a close finale, however the Be Wiser Ducati rider showed his class as he moved on to the more familiar circuits of Assen and Donington where he laid down his marker with 4 wins out of 4 and a 28 point lead over Brookes before Redding closed out the championship at Brands Hatch.

“After a few lean years, we came here to try and win the championship and we did it! It means so much to me to win this and I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support and it feels so good to have so many people behind me. I’m over the moon to have won the BSB Championship and we’re going to have a big party tonight!”