MotoGP: Redding to replace Lowes at Aprilia in 2018

As first reported by MCN a month ago, it now looks like Scott Redding will replace Sam Lowes at the Gresini Aprilia squad for the 2018 MotoGP season. Although the Italian manufacturer has still to announce the news officially, it’s been confirmed by MCN’s sources in the paddock that Redding has signed the deal in the aftermath of losing his Pramac Ducati seat to Jack Miller.

The move offers a lifeline to Redding, who looked only last week to be without a ride for the future, after admitting at Brno last weekend that his future in the class was in the hands of others – but adamant that he was committed to MotoGP or nothing else, something that he reiterated yesterday at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The news has irked many in the paddock, however, thanks to Lowes’ two-year deal with the factory – with many of his fellow racers taking to Twitter to express support for the Brit and discontent with Aprilia’s decision.

Best thing that could have happened mate.

— leon haslam (@realleonhaslam) August 11, 2017

Listening @btsportmotogp hearing @SamLowes22 has lost his ride. Gutted for him, but he’ll be much better off with a team that believe in him

— Jonathan Rea (@jonathanrea) August 11, 2017

Bro @SamLowes22 ✊️ pic.twitter.com/gDlZKQ8lHc

— Aleix Espargaró (@AleixEspargaro) August 10, 2017

However, all might not be lost for the former Moto2 race winner, with rumours linking him to a potential move to the Marc VDS Honda team.