Race 2 in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was a mixed affair for Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit during the Motul Indonesian Round. The British rider finished the race in tenth spot but last ground when the red flags were deployed right after he had a small crash, meaning he had to start the restarted race from 14^th place.

Redding was battling with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) in the early stages of Race 2 when the pair came together at Turn 16 with Locatelli able to continue and Redding down on the track. The British rider re-mounted his M 1000 RR but, with the red flags deployed, the grid for the restarted race was taken from each rider’s last completed timing point. This meant Redding dropped out of the top ten and started from 14^th.

The British rider was able to fight back again to take tenth spot in Race 2 in Indonesia as he looks to build on some solid pace throughout the weekend. It was also a strong showing from teammate Michael van der Mark with the Dutchman finishing Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race inside the top eight, while he was in the fight for another top ten finish in Race 2 before he had a huge highside and an accident with Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) brought out the red flags.

Discussing his Sunday in Indonesia, Reddingsaid: “I crashed in the main race trying to overtake. In the races, it was a better day for me today after a disappointing day yesterday. I felt better already in the Warm Up and in the race I felt pretty good this morning. In Race 2, I felt good but then I had the small crash and it was a restart; I had to start 14^th instead of eighth. The field is so tight at the moment it’s really hard to make any difference. I managed to move up in the beginning and then made a small mistake at Turn 1 because the wind was really strong, then nothing, then really strong and changing direction every other lap. I made a small mistake, dropped back, and ended up P10. It’s the first time this year that I’ve felt more feeling with the bike and feeling like I can actually push with the bike. I hope we can continue this on for the rest of the season.”

The factory BMW test will complete some test days before they head to the iconic TT Circuit Assen for the Dutch Round in April as they look to keep refining their 2023 M 1000 RR, with Redding discussing after the Indonesian Round where he would like to continue improving the bike. The 2023 model, which includes several upgrades including to the aerodynamics and a new gearbox, has completed two rounds of the 2023 season so far with a best result of sixth.

Talking about where he wants to improve, Redding said: “For me, it’s getting the bike to turn a bit more and we need to get more acceleration. I follow some guys on the exit and the acceleration is just unbelievable. Some guys have a step between. I can see that it’s actual drive they’re getting, and I feel like we if we can make a step, it’ll make us more competitive and be able to ride with a bit more ease. We’re always trying to close the gap in acceleration and then we’ve pushed a lot with the front. If we can improve this, I’ll be happy.”

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