WorldSBK, Donington "last chance” for Scott Redding?

The Donington Park circuit will host the fourth SBK round, at a track at which the production-derived bikes, 500/MotoGP prototypes and Formula 1 cars have all written history. Might the 2021 chapter – in which Johnny Rea is again leading the way - take a turn in the UK?

The British round can essentially be classed as the Northern Irishman’s home event, the East Midlands circuit having proved happy hunting ground for him in 2019, when the number 1 rider scored a triple victory. Rea is the undisputed favourite then, Toprak Razgatlioglu his main rival.

But two years ago there was no Redding, who was competing in BSB at the time. Expectations are high as far as Scott is concerned, for various reasons. The Aruba Ducati rider need to boost both his morale and his points tally, following a rather lacklustre outing at Misano Adriatico. While team-mate Michael Ruben Rinaldi won and reached the podium, the Englishman came under attack from his rivals. So while Rinaldi now faces a sort of acid test, Scott is essentially sitting his retakes.

Scott’s last shot at the title? We’re not exaggerating. But...

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Psychology is (almost) everything for a rider. With a quiet and determined mindset, a rider is keen to push even further. With this in mind, and considering the need to make up points with respect to his two main rivals - Rea on the Ninja, Razgatlioglu on the R1 - Redding must focus on the goal, which consists of winning at least (yes, at least) one of the three races.

Preferably one worth 25 points. A Superpole Race win wouldn’t be bad but it doesn’t have the same significance, either symbolically or points-wise. And then he needs to see what his rivals will do. While Rino showed his stuff at Misano, the 2019 BSB champion now needs to do the same at Donington.

Will number 45’s season be decided in Derby? We don’t want to exaggerate, but this is our impression. It’s an important one no doubt, as the 28-year old fights for his present and his future with Ducati, well aware that talented youngsters are always keen to swoop in.

Lowes, Davies and (why not) Sykes: the fans expect encouraging signs

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Alex Lowes started 2021 with three podiums. Fantastic. But then the results dwindled, for one reason or another. And so Donington offers Lowes an opportunity to bounce back. After all, the track holds no secrets for him, the 2013 winner with Honda.

We're sorry to say that Chaz Davies has disappointed so far. And we say this well aware of the Welshman’s strength, speed and experience. If we factor in the solidity of team Go Eleven, it’s fair to say that the team has scored too few points over the first three rounds. Donington is a first opportunity to buck this trend.

And let’s not forget Tom Sykes, the winner of many UK races. The 35-year old lives close to the track, one at which he scored his first win as a wildcard back in 2008, aboard a Suzuki. He went on to score four double wins with Kawasaki, while he’s still missing that extra something with the BMW. Will he find it this weekend perhaps?

Translated by Heather Watson

WorldSBK, Rea: “The Donington track is good for the Kawasaki”