JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain – After a long wait due to COVID-19, World Superbike competitors returned to action on Saturday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, with Scott Redding breaking through to earn his first World Superbike triumph.
Redding, riding for ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati, survived a five-rider battle at the front of the field to earn the victory. He is the fourth different race winner in as many World Superbike events this season.
Reigning World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea got off to a good start, taking the lead from polesitter Redding. Toprak Razgatlioglu rocketed from fifth to second at the start, with Redding fading to third early on.
On lap 11 Redding raced his way past Razgatlioglu before turning his attention to chasing down Rea. Three laps later Redding accomplished his goal, hunting down and passing Rea for the race lead.
The winning move came on lap 14 as Redding passed Rea in turn six to take the top spot as Rea ran wide. Redding led the remainder of the 20-lap distance, claiming his first World Superbike victory in his rookie season with the series.
“It’s a great day for me: pole position and victory, couldn’t have done better,” Redding said.
“The race was very hard because of the temperature. In some moments I suffered a lot. I would like to thank the team for providing me with a bike that has worked very well. When did I start to suffer? Since I entered the pit lane. These are extreme conditions and tomorrow it will be even more difficult. But this is a problem all riders have to deal with.”
Rea settled for second, followed by Razgatlioglu in third. Chaz Davies came up just short of the podium after a late charge, settling for fourth. Loris Baz finished fifth as the highest finishing independent rider.