BSB: Redding close to Be Wiser Ducati deal?

Scott Redding is moving closer to a shock switch to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as he continues to evaluate his options for the 2019 season.

After weeks of rumours, the MotoGP star, who is to be replaced by Andrea Iannone at Aprilia next season, has said he is ‘getting somewhere’ with finalising his plans for next year.

Redding told media on Thursday he has three options for 2019 – BSB, WSB and Moto2. While he wouldn’t admit it directly, it seemed his preference was a return to Moto2 but confessed the chances of that were ‘slim’.

“I’ve been in more discussions and we are getting somewhere,” Redding said. “It looks like there are three choices: We have an offer from Birdy for BSB, World Superbike and there is still a chance of Moto2, a slimmer chance but we’re pushing to get it to work.

“I wanted to announce something this weekend, but it just took a little bit longer. I want to be sure, that’s the thing. There’s a bit too much in the air at the minute. I’m in a bit of a gamble situation and I don’t want to be gambling… I’ve gambled too much and I don’t want to do it again.”

Be Wiser Ducati boss Paul Bird has made no secret of talking to Redding about joining his multiple championship-winning BSB squad next year and MCN understands Redding met with the Cumbrian earlier this week to discuss the finer details of a deal.

While Bird wouldn’t comment on the situation with Redding, he told MCN he doesn’t see a scenario in which six-time champion Shane Byrne will be with the team in 2019 and has made no effort to hide his disappointment in Glenn Irwin’s results in recent rounds. Irwin agreed a deal to remain with the Be Wiser Ducati squad next year back at Knockhill, but Bird has said that deal may not stand if results do not improve.