Friday, 21 June 2013

Michael Bartholemy, Team Manager of the Marc VDS Racing Team and Brit Scott Redding, has confirmed that interest is mounting from MotoGP™ suitors following the rider’s excellent start to the season.

Following reports in the UK media about Ducati’s and Honda’s interest in Redding, whereby Ducati’s MotoGP Project Director Paolo Ciabatti and Honda Team Principle Livio Suppo are alleged to have said that the British rider could be of interest, Bartholemy told motogp.com: “In Ducati, I know that Ciabatti, [Bernhard] Gobmeier and Vito [Guareschi] have a big eye on Scott, but I haven’t spoken with Livio recently.” He added, slightly tongue-in-cheek: “But Livio has my phone number!”

However Bartholemy was able to confirm that strides are being made for Redding’s step up to the premier-class next year: “We have one firm offer on the table, I’m waiting for a second one, and should be getting another later this week.”

He did not wish to comment about the specifics at this point saying: “I need all the facts on the table first.”

On the possibility of the team themselves stepping up to the premier-class with Redding, Bartholemy cited it was certainly possible, but that it would be down to both Redding and team owner Marc van der Straten to make that choice.