Gresini: ‘High expectations’ for Scott Redding

Long-serving Honda MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini has said he has high expectations ahead of Scott Redding’s rookie premier class campaign in 2014.

The Italian team boss is confident the 21-year-old is capable of challenging to be the top rider in the new Open category when the new MotoGP season commences in Qatar on March 23.

Redding will ride a new production Honda RCV1000R in 2014 and he was officially unveiled as a Go&Fun Gresini rider during a special unveiling of the San Marino-based outfit earlier today.

The Open class is for bikes like the RCV1000R, which will be allowed to run 24 litres and 12 engines this year. Factory entries like the Honda RC213V that Redding’s teammate Alvaro Bautista will race will be limited to 20 litres and five engines.

As well as hoping Redding can beat the likes of Nicky Hayden, Aleix Espargaro and Colin Edwards in the Open category, Gresini is anticipating a more consistent podium threat from Spaniard Bautista.

Gresini said: “An aspect that makes me extremely proud, as well as optimistic ahead of the first 2014 race, is our MotoGP rider line-up. The couple formed by Bautista and Redding is without doubt one of the best the world scene can offer. A mix of talent, experience, grit and speed that few other pairs of riders can boast. Alvaro deserves to be put amongst the ‘top riders’, having already proved to be able to get a top five finish at every race: an incredible achievement, considering the extremely high level of competitiveness reached today by the MotoGP World Championship. This year we expect a further improvement from him, hoping to attend the podium frequently. On the other hand, we have high expectations on Redding’s debut.  Scott is young, but already very experienced. In fact, on the occasion of his first MotoGP race he will celebrate his hundredth Grand Prix! During his Moto2 years he has already proven to be very fast, but I like especially his attitude. He never gives up, and that’s why he has already many fans, not only English. I’m convinced that he can do very well. Our goal with him is to come out on top in the newly formed Open class.”

For an exclusive interview with 2013 Moto2 runner-up Redding, see the February 6 issue of MCN.