Qatar MotoGP Danny Webb aims for 125GP podiums

British teenager Danny Webb believes he can be a regular podium contender when the new 125GP world championship campaign kicks off on Sunday night in Qatar.

Webb has secured a factory RSA Aprilia machine for 2009 and despite a troubled switch from the production RSW machine he campaigned last season, he told MCN he’s confident he can move closer to the front this season.

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Webb scored a best of fifth place in 2008, but heading into his third campaign on the world stage he has drawn encouragement from the impressive performance of Scott Redding in his rookie season.

Webb told MCN: “It is definitely realistic to get a few podiums. Scott won the British GP last year and at a few of the races I was battling with him.

“We have been together through our whole careers from mini bikes and we have always kind of been at the same level. So the fact that he did well last year only gives me a lot of encouragement.

“We get on with each other too as well and we talk and exchange comments on the bike and it helps us both make progress.”