Scott Redding looks almost certain to lose his Moto2 championship lead after being ruled out of tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix through injury. The Briton crashed ten minutes from the end of qualifying and was stretchered away with medical examinations in hospital revealing a fractured left wrist.
Redding was sixth quickest at the time of his accident when the back end of his Marc VDS Kalex stepped out at the high speed turn 12, throwing him off the motorcycle. Scott was carried away on a stretcher but was later seen sitting up although the true extent of his injuries was later discovered in the medical centre.
Marc VDS Team Principal Michael Bartholemy voiced his sadness at the timing of the injury but has stressed he won’t sacrifice Redding’s well-being just because the championship is at stake.
“Obviously I am absolutely gutted for Scott. He was pushing hard and the rear just got away from him. Normally he’d have dusted himself off and put it down to experience, even at the ultra-fast turn 12, but he was unfortunate in that he got caught up with the bike and ended up with a fractured wrist. The most important thing now is that he recovers properly before making his return to racing. Yes, there’s a championship to be fought over, but our priority now is Scott’s health. If that means we have to forfeit the championship then so be it.”
Redding’s title rivals Pol Espargaro and Esteve Rabat start tomorrow’s shortened race from first and second respectively with the former only nine points behind Redding, the championship lead looks set to change hands tomorrow.
