Qatar MotoGP: Scott Redding hails 'amazing' debut 125 front row

Scott Redding became the youngest rider in history to qualify on the front row of the grid for a world championship GP on a memorable night for British riders in Qatar.

The Blusens Aprilia rider, who has never even appeared as a wild card at world level, produced arguably the biggest shock of the first race so far when he claimed a place on the front row of the grid for the 18-lap season opener.

Scott Redding finished fourth in 125 qualifying tonight with a best lap of 2:05.545 set with just three minutes of the session remaining.

Looking somewhat shell-shocked at his incredible start while speaking exclusively to MCN, the 15-year-old Gloucester rider said: “It feels a bit bizarre, spectacular and strange.

“I was going to be happy with the second row after I’d had some problems with the bike in the first session but I somehow managed to pop up on the front row which is great for me.”

Not surprisingly Scott Redding’s sensational performance, which will see him join pole-setter Bradley Smith on the front row, came as a total surprise.

“I came here expecting to be challenging for the top 20 or fighting for 20th. I’ve only done three days of testing at this track and I can’t really say it is a track that suits my style,” said Redding, who got his GP break after winning the last three races of the 2007 Spanish 125 series.

Asked what he expected in his 18-lap debut tonight, Scott Redding said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be a bit nervous because it is my first GP, so I haven’t even started a race, let alone start one from the front row.

“I don’t know how these guys react at the first corner or in the first couple of laps, so I’ll just have to try and get the holeshot, worry about myself and see what happens from there.”